In 1958 China launched the Great Leap Forward Campaign, which was aimed at catching up with the Western industrialized countries.

[2] From 1958, several Chinese plants, including FAW, began to design passenger cars for civilian use.

About 20-30 Dongfeng CA71s were produced, although some of the production run are rumored to be simply rebadged Vedettes rather than fully FAW-built cars.

The body was based on the French Simca Vedette, although its actual shape is closer to the similar sized Ford Zephyr Mk2 of the same era.

FAW's Deputy Design Director, Shi Qihe, and Chief Engineer, Hu Tongxun directed the project.