[5] Lifan's vehicle products include passenger cars, microvans, dirt bike engines, entry-level motorcycles, mini-vehicles, and commercial trucks.

Mingshan has a long history of conflict with government authority but currently enjoys a positive relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.

[5] In 2003, Lifan acquired Chongqing Special Purpose Use Vehicle Manufacturing Co Ltd,[6] and 2005 saw the start of automobile production beginning with the LF6361/1010 minivan and pickup based on the 1999 Daihatsu Atrai.

In December 2005, Lifan's first independently developed car entered production, the 520 sedan with a Brazilian Tritec engine.

Lifan currently have a number of Agusta models on show at selected dealerships, including the F4 RR motorcycle.

[15] In 2018, Baidu and Panda Auto, an EV rental operator under Lifan Group, jointly launched the China's first shared autonomous vehicle pilot program, closed in 2020.

[17] In 2004, Lifan was ordered to cease selling motorcycles under the brand name "Hongda"—the culmination of a successful lawsuit brought by Honda Motors.

[28] Subsequently, the Starthunder 250, a compact cruiser, and the Gravity 150 (LF150T-8C) scooter, equipped with a 149.3 cc single-cylinder engine, were launched.

[33] Overseas assembly factories make Lifan-branded automobiles sold to domestic audiences but are not necessarily affiliated with Lifan in any way.

[1] From 2007 until 2010, the Lifan 520 was assembled in Ethiopia from imported knock-down kits under the name of "Abay" (Amharic for the Blue Nile)[35] by Holland Car Company.

[38] As of 2016, Lifan continues to produce in Ethiopia (perhaps without a local partner), assembling cars with native-born labor from knock-down kits.

[39] Five different models can be made at the current facility, set up in 2014, and sales can total fifty cars a month at prices ranging from $15,000 to $30,000.

[1] The Italian importer Martin Motors rebadges and sells two small Lifan passenger car models under its own name.

[40] Put together in small, local workshops, selling such kits is an easy way for the company to gain access to developing markets.