Hafei was formerly owned by Aviation Industry Corporation of China. The earliest Hafei products were Suzuki Carry-based microvans and trucks sold under the Songhuajiang brand, named after the Songhua River, but by 2002 they were sold directly under the Hafei brand. Their vehicles have always carried the "HFJ" identity code, no matter the brand.
As of 2009, the company had exported products to a total of 40 nations.
In 2009 the Chang'an Automobile Group purchased most Hafei-related assets prompted by a Chinese State policy aimed at consolidating the domestic automobile manufacturing industry.
In 2015, Changan announced it would discontinue all Hafei production and convert existing lines to serve Changan Ford.