July 15, 2026 – Seventy-three years ago today, construction kicked off on China’s First Automobile Works (FAW) in Tieling, Changchun, an event that would rewrite the country’s automotive history for good.
Back in 1953, the site was nothing but a barren wasteland. Workers from all over China flocked here to break ground, building the factory from scratch with almost no ready equipment or industry experience. They forged parts with simple hammers and powered through every hardship to build the nation’s very first auto manufacturing base, widely known as the cradle of China’s auto industry. Their hard work paid off on July 13, 1956, when the first Jiefang truck rolled off the production line, ending China’s long inability to build its own motor vehicles.
FAW’s journey didn’t stop there. As the industry evolved, the brand faced rigid old production limits that held back growth. Instead of halting manufacturing, FAW’s teams reworked production lines without pausing output, shifted to building smaller passenger cars, and built China’s first large-scale modern sedan plant. By opening its doors to international partners and balancing self-owned brands with joint ventures, FAW became the first domestic automaker in China to hit an annual production volume of one million vehicles, building solid momentum amid competitive market shifts.
Today, the auto industry is being reshaped by electrification, smart driving, connected tech and lightweight manufacturing—the so-called “four new automotive transformations.” FAW is shifting its entire business model from a traditional vehicle maker to a world-leading mobility tech firm, putting self-developed technology front and center.
Its brand lineup now covers every major market segment: premium Hongqi cars lead China’s luxury vehicle sector; Jiefang heavy trucks expand steadily into overseas markets; passenger car brand Bestune keeps refining its product lineup; joint venture FAW-Volkswagen sets consistent industry benchmarks; and FAW Toyota builds long-term strength through lean manufacturing. Independent brands and joint ventures grow side by side, laying a strong foundation for steady, high-quality growth.
Beyond vehicle assembly, FAW pours resources into core tech research, speeds up development of new energy vehicles and smart connected systems, and rebuilds its full industrial chain around digital and intelligent manufacturing. It also maintains open global cooperation, deeply integrating its operations into worldwide automotive supply chains.
Over these 73 years, every milestone comes from the unwavering dedication of FAW’s employees, who carry the pride of being China’s original auto industry pioneer. For Jiefang staff and all FAW team members, they stand united under one mission, moving forward side by side toward shared goals.
Driven by the core belief of “growing the industry to strengthen the nation,” FAW has stayed true to its founding mission through decades of ups and downs. As it celebrates its 73rd anniversary, the company will keep pushing forward, working to advance China’s automotive industry and write new chapters in its global development journey.
Happy 73rd birthday to China FAW!
