Jessica Jung supercharged the debut of Dongfeng 007 like how Jackie Chan turbocharged the debut of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX in Singapore

Jessica Jung with "her" Dongfeng 007 in Funan.

Volt Auto’s Dongfeng 007 launch with Jessica Jung in 2025 had the superstar power to match C&C Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evo IX launch with Jackie Chan in 2005.

Local car launches in Singapore seldom have international showbiz superstars doing the honours of unveiling the vehicular newcomer. 

Of course, Southeast Asia’s little red dot has been visited by countless red-hot celebs in the past 25 years, across a wide spectrum of businesses - automotive, sports (especially F1 motor racing), fashion, entertainment, and epicurean (Singapore is a food paradise after all). 

Jackie Chan with "his" Lancer Evolution IX in the C&C Mitsubishi showroom.

But once in a long while, or 20 years in this case, a global icon with a worldwide fan base lands at Changi Airport and helps a new car take off in the hearts and minds of not only drivers, but also passengers without a driving licence and the general public who is more interested in famous people than fabulous vehicles. 

Homegrown Volt Auto’s pairing of Korean-American personality Jessica Jung with Chinese flagship fastback Dongfeng 007 for the electric newcomer’s launch campaign was quite a coup. Only an appearance by one or two members of Blackpink would have been even more memorable than Jessica in Funan. 

Jessica Jung chatting with Volt Auto MD Soh Ming in the Dongfeng showroom.

Soh Ming, managing director of Volt Auto, said: “The Dongfeng 007 is a symbol of luxury, boldness, intelligence; Jessica embodies those same qualities, and her presence helped us tell that story in a truly unforgettable way.”

Storytellers of a certain vintage (motoring journos and motor traders alike) would also not forget Jackie Chan’s presence at the 2005 Singapore launch of Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. It was a mid-May weekend to remember, for two decades and counting at this point. 

The Hong Kong action hero happily presented the Lancer Evolution IX Jackie Chan limited edition (one of 50 units built with his preferred modifications) in the C&C showroom at Alexandra Road and thereafter in Kallang Auto Centre at Stadium Link where the full-house main event took place. The first five buyers of the C&C turbo sports saloon received their car keys from the man himself.  

The hugely successful movie star drove numerous Mitsubishi cars in some of his blockbusters, including 1995 flick Thunderbolt which had sporty Mitsubishis galore. He is believed to own every Mitsubishi Evolution model ever made, from go-faster Lancers to the elusive Pajero Evo.  

Jackie Chan turbocharged the Singapore launch of Lancer Evo IX in 2005.

Jackie Chan was quoted as saying: “I just love cars. Mitsubishi will support me with all the cars I need, because that’s the only car company I know.”

Twenty years later in 2025, when Jessica Jung has grown up from teenager to multi-talented performer-author-entrepreneur, she would express her love for Dongfeng 007 by saying: “I was totally impressed by the design - it’s sleek, beautiful, and thoughtfully made. I really hope people in Singapore are inspired to try new things - don’t be afraid to open new doors.”

Indeed, even if said new doors were opened 20 years apart, from Jackie Chan more than 7,000 yesterdays ago to Jessica Jung today.

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