South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd., trading as Soueast, is a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Fuzhou, Fujian, and was a joint venture between China Motor Corporation (25%), Fujian Motor Industry Group (50%) and Mitsubishi Motors (25%).^[2][3][4][5] Its principal activity is the design, development, production and sale of passenger cars and minibuses sold under the Soueast marque.^[6] It also manufactures Mitsubishi brand passenger cars for sale in mainland China.^[7]

As of early 2011, Soueast had an annual production capacity of around 180,000 units, but this was set to rise to 300,000 with the completion of current construction,^[8] which may have been finished by early 2012.^{[note 1]}

The company was acquired by Chery in 2024 and is currently producing Jetour vehicles.^[9][10]

History

Soueast was founded in November 1995 as a joint venture between China Motor Corporation and Fujian Motor Industry Group.^[11][3] Mitsubishi became a partner in the joint venture in 2006.^[3]

In April 2008, Soueast was awarded a contract to supply 5,700 Delica minibuses to the Iranian Mehreghan Co.^[12][13] In the same year, Jackie Chan was signed on as a Mitsubishi brand ambassador for Mainland China markets.^[14]

Products

Soueast Motors produces Soueast-branded models including the V3 and V5 sedans, and a range of Mitsubishi models for the Chinese market.

Soueast marque

Soueast produces the following models under the Soueast marque:

• Soueast A5 Yiwu (2019)
• Soueast DX3 (2016)
• Soueast DX5 (2019)
• Soueast DX7 Bolang SUV (2015)
• Soueast DX8 (2018)
• Soueast DX9

• 
  Soueast A5
• 
  Soueast DX3
• 
  Soueast DX5
• 
  Soueast DX7

Discontinued:

• Soueast C1 Xiwang microvan (2011)
• Soueast Delica minibus (1996)
• Soueast Freeca (2001)
• Soueast Lioncel (2003)
• Soueast V3 Lingyue sedan (2008)
• Soueast V5 Lingzhi sedan (2012)
• Soueast V6 Lingshi hatchback (2013)
• 
  Soueast C1
• 
  Soueast Delica
• 
  Soueast Freeca
• 
  Soueast Lioncel
• 
  Soueast V3
• 
  Soueast V5
• 
  Soueast V6

Mitsubishi marque

Soueast produces the following models under the Mitsubishi marque:

• Lancer
• Lancer EX
• Lancer Fortis
• Galant
• Zinger

Dodge marque

• Dodge Caravan

Operations

Soueast has at least one production base in Qingkou city, Minhou County, Fuzhou, Fujian province.^[11] This location has probably been expanded three times^[8] with the second phase possibly completed c. 2009 as that year saw a 150% increase in units produced.^[15] As of early 2011, total yearly production capacity for all sites was forecast to soon reach 300,000 with the completion of the base's third phase.^[8] February 2012 production was 37% higher than that of the previous year,^[16] which may reflect this additional capacity coming online.

Sales

A total of 96,553 Soueast brand passenger cars were sold in China in 2013, making it the 38th largest-selling car brand in the country in that year (and the 21st largest-selling Chinese brand).^[17]