The V23 and V25 models from iCaur, which are confirmed for the Brazilian market, feature a retro design. Although the inspiration for them is little known in Brazil, it holds great significance in China—it is the Beijing BJ212 jeep.
The history of this model began in 1961 when the State Planning Commission of China decreed that the Beijing Automobile Works (BAW) should produce jeeps. Previously, the company only manufactured high-class sedans derived from the Soviet GAZ Volga.
The project utilized components from another GAZ model—the military jeep 69. The chassis, axles, and suspension were taken from it, while the 2.5-liter engine was sourced from the Volga sedan and was already being produced in China.
Production of the Beijing BJ212 started in May 1965 after prototypes were approved by defense and industrial departments. The design aligned with contemporary trends, lacking the protruding fenders of the Willys Jeep and GAZ-69; however, the rounded and prominent hood resembled the Toyota Land Cruiser.
The standard version of the Beijing B212 is a four-door body with a canvas top. Longer variants, pickups, and modifications designed for transporting specialized weaponry existed for military use.
Engines changed over time: in the 1980s, a four-cylinder gasoline engine from American Motors Corporation (AMC) was used, which was jointly employed with the BAW-produced Jeep Cherokee, as well as a Perkins diesel engine. Later, this setup was replaced by a Toyota engine, and the latest models use Mitsubishi units.
Currently, BAW is part of BAIC, and the old BJ212 continues to be produced. It spawned the chada 212 brand, focused on off-road vehicles inspired by the military jeep design.
The modern version, released in 2023 as the 212 Sniper, features a redesigned body and has lost some characteristics of the original model, such as identical front and rear doors. Nevertheless, it retains the 'ladder' frame and solid front axle, becoming a Chinese counterpart to the Land Rover Defender.
The iconic design of the old BJ212 inspired iCaur, GWM Tank 300, and other Chinese SUVs. BAIC is preparing to enter the Brazilian market, but the 212 lineup is not yet included in its plans.


