The DFSK C-Series is a series of

light commercial vehicles A light commercial vehicle (LCV) in the European Union, Australia and New Zealand is a commercial carrier vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of no more than 3.5 metric tons (tonnes). The LCV designation is also occasionally used in both Cana ...

( van and pickup trucks) manufactured by the Chinese automaker Dongfeng Sokon (DFSK), a joint venture between Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. and Chongqing Sokon Industry. The van models were first unveiled on September 21, 2009, whereas the pickup truck models were launched later. The van is available in three different models, the C35 (cargo van), the C36 (entry-level passenger van), and the C37 (passenger van). While the pickup is available in four different models, the single cab models are being the C31 and C51, while the double cab models were the C32 and C52.

Overview

The C-Series models are larger and more roomier with a longer wheelbase compared to the K-Series and V-Series models. The pricing ranges from RMB 46,900 to 59,800 yuan. The design of the C35, C36, and C37 vans are more controversial than the pickup trucks, as the front fascia and the side window graphics heavily resemble the facelifted third generation Ford Transit.

Van model variants

The C35 represents the cargo van, and was launched in the second half of 2012 and features steel-sealed windows on the side and the tailgate. It is available with two variants, a traditional panel van with two seats and a crew van with five seats. The C36 represents the entry-level passenger van with a low starting price. As the base trim, the C36 lacks some basic features, such as front fog lights, air conditioning, airbags, and features steel wheels instead of alloys. The C36 is available with two seating configurations, either a 5-seater or a 7-seater. The C37 represents the mid-level passenger van, which includes the aforementioned features that are not present on the entry-level C36. Unlike the C36, the C37 is available with four seating configurations, depending on each market, this includes a 5-seater, a 7-seater, a 9-seater, or a 11-seater. File:2018 Dongfeng-Xiaokang (Sokon) C35 panel van, front 8.7.18.jpg, Sokon C35 panel van File:2015 Dongfeng-Xiaokang (Sokon) C37, front 8.16.18.jpg, Sokon C37 (front) File:2015 Dongfeng-Xiaokang (Sokon) C37, rear 8.16.18.jpg, Sokon C37 (rear) The C56 is the facelift variant sold from 2022. The facelift features a completely redesigned front end that sports horizontal headlamps and grilles. File:DFSK C56 van img2022101402.jpg, Sokon C56 van

Pickup model variants

The pickup models feature a completely different cab design with nothing shared with the van models despite being sold under the C-Series range, while the headlamps and grilles are shared with the

DFSK K-Series The DFSK K-Series (东风小康K系列) is a range of 5-door microvan, 2-door micro pickups, and 4-door micro pickups manufactured by DFSK Motor Dongfeng Sokon Automobile () known internationally as DFSK Motor, is a joint venture between Dongfeng ...

microvans. The single cab model was sold in Taiwan as the Sokon Gold Fulwin (金稳发) while the crew cab model was sold as the Grand Fulwin (大稳发) in Taiwan. The C31 represents the single-cab pickup truck, which seats up to two passengers The C32 represents the double-cab pickup truck with full 4-doors, it seats up to five passengers. The C51 and C52 are essentially enlarged versions of the C31 and C32, both are slightly larger than the C31 and C32, offering with more cabin and cargo space. The D-series heavy duty variant is based on the C-series pickup. Variants include the D51 and D52. File:2017 Dongfeng Sokon C31 1.5.jpg, Sokon C31 in Napoli File:2015 Dongfeng Sokon C31.jpg, Sokon C31 chassis truck File:2018 Dongfeng-Xiaokang (Sokon) C32, front 8.8.18.jpg, Sokon C32 File:DFSK D51 work truck.jpg, Sokon D51 Slightly upmarket and larger pickup variants were introduced in 2022 with completely restyled cab designs called the C71 and C72. The C71 represents the single-cab pickup truck, which seats up to two passengers The C72 represents the double-cab pickup truck with full 4-doors, it seats up to five passengers. File:DFSK C72 IMG001.jpg, Sokon C72 double-cab pickup truck

Ruichi electric vans

The electric versions of the C31, C35, and C36, known respectively as the EC31, EC35, and EC36 were unveiled in 2018 and sometimes sold under the Ruichi (瑞驰）badging. The EC35 is equipped with a 41.4 kWh battery delivering a range of 233 km (146 miles) via NEDC testing. The battery pack of the Ruichi EC35 electric van weighs 400 kg (882 lbs) and has a system voltage of 320 V. The EC31, EC35, and EC36 uses a single electric motor with a 42 kWh battery pack, which produces and of torque. File:Ruichi EC31 fleet IMG001.jpg, Ruichi EC31 fleet File:Ruichi EC35 Shishi 01 2022-06-24.jpg, Ruichi EC35

International markets

United Kingdom

The C31, C32, C35 and C37 are also available in the United Kingdom since 2017. The brand was originally launched in the UK in 2012 but sales under the previous distributor ended before 2016.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, the C-Series vans were sold as the DFSK Gelora. It was unveiled at the 2020 Gaikindo Indonesia International Commercial Vehicle Expo in March 5, 2020, and launched in November 2020 for the panel van, and January 2021 for the passenger van. The panel van is based on the C35, while the passenger van is based on the C36 and C37 respectively. The passenger version is only available in a 11-seater configuration. Both models were powered by a conventional 1.5-litre petrol engine, and locally built at DFSK's Cikande plant in Banten. An electric version of the Gelora, the Gelora E, was also unveiled at the same show as the ICE-powered Gelora, and launched at the 28th

Indonesia International Motor Show The Indonesia International Motor Show (formerly Gaikindo Auto Expo) is an annual automotive exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is organized by Dyandra Promosindo, which is a subsidiary of Kompas Gramedia. Since 2016, the exhibition is held i ...

on April 15, 2021. Similar to the conventional model, it is available in a passenger van (based on the EC36) and panel van (based on the EC35) configurations, both models were powered by a single electric motor. The Gelora E was initially imported from China, with local Indonesian production to be commerce in 2023. The Gelora E was selected as one of the operational vehicles used for the

2022 G20 Bali Summit The 2022 G20 Bali summit ( id, Konferensi Tingkat Tinggi G20 Bali 2022) was the seventeenth meeting of Group of Twenty (G20), which was held in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia on 15–16 November 2022. Indonesia's presidency began on 1 December 2021, l ...

in Bali.

Romania

The ''DFSK EC35 Cargovan'' is available in

Romania Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Moldova to the east, and ...

from the "NEW CAR TRADING S.R.L." importer, located in

Harghita County Harghita (, hu, Hargita megye, ) is a county (județ) in the center of Romania, in eastern Transylvania, with the county seat at Miercurea Ciuc. Demographics 2002 census In 2002, Harghita County had a population of 326,222 and a populatio ...

References

External links

* ''(C31 and C32)'' * ''(C35 and C36)'' * ''(C37)'' * ''(C51 and C52)'' * ''(EC36)'' {{Dongfeng Motor Cars introduced in 2009 2010s cars 2020s cars Cars of China Microvans Minivans Production electric cars