70 years, just a blink of an eye in the long river of history. But for the Chinese automotive industry, this is a magnificent journey from small to large, from weak to strong.
On July 13, 1956, the first domestically produced Liberation brand car of New China slowly drove off the assembly line at the First Automobile Manufacturing Plant in Changchun. At that moment, the history of New China's inability to manufacture cars came to an end.
Over the past 70 years, China's automobile industry has pioneered from poverty and poverty, fought hard for win-win cooperation in the tide of reform and opening up, achieved lane change and overtaking in the development of new energy vehicles in the new era, and stood on the path of surpassing 34 million vehicles in annual production and sales and becoming the world's number one for 17 consecutive years - China's automobile industry's arduous journey is a vivid reflection of China's manufacturing from scratch to leading the world.
Laying the foundation for the wilderness
On Dongfeng Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, the White Marble cornerstone of the "First Automobile Manufacturing Factory Foundation Stone Laying Memorial" written in Mao Zedong's handwriting stands together with the "Early Building of Changchun First Automobile Manufacturing Factory", which has been identified as a national key cultural relics protection unit. Every day, many tourists can be attracted to take photos and punch cards.
On July 15, 1953, the First Automobile Manufacturing Plant held a groundbreaking ceremony near Mengjiatun in the southwest of Changchun City, marking the successful first step of China's automobile industry on the barren land. From then on, an industrial miracle began to emerge on this black land.
Today, more than 70 years later, Changchun has become a globally renowned "automobile city", with a continuous stream of cars produced by national automobile brands such as Hongqi and Jiefang, as well as joint venture brands such as Audi, Volkswagen, and Toyota, heading towards the world.
When will Chinese people be able to drive their own manufactured cars? "This is the question faced by the first generation of car enthusiasts in New China. In 1950, China and the Soviet Union agreed to provide assistance to China in building its first heavy-duty truck factory. Based on extensive research and repeated comparisons, the Central Committee of Finance and Economics approved the construction of the First Automobile Manufacturing Plant in Changchun, Jilin Province.
In 1953, Chairman Mao issued the "Directive of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Striving to Build Changchun Automobile Factory within Three Years", requiring all relevant departments to provide maximum support for the construction of Changchun Automobile Factory and strive to complete it within three years.
FAW Construction is of national concern. Under the call and direct command of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Organization Department of the Central Committee dispatched more than 150 bureau level cadres to work at FAW, and the Northeast Bureau also dispatched 529 government officials to work at FAW.
Zhang Yongxun, Minister of the Cadre Department of FAW Party Committee, said that at that time, a large number of high-tech workers from Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and other places rushed to Changchun, and graduates and returning international students from universities such as Tsinghua University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University also reported to FAW.
Changchun, as the location of FAW, allocated 95% of its municipal construction costs in 1954 and 84% in 1955 to FAW. During the busiest period of FAW Construction, two to three hundred wagons loaded with various materials and equipment were transported to the construction site every day.
The winter of 1953 was the first winter construction period of FAW. The builders of FAW live in ventilated construction sheds with four walls, covered in snow and frozen soil, climbing more than 30 meters high to tie steel bars and pour concrete. Some people's hands were cracked by the frost and wrapped with adhesive tape to continue drying. Although life is difficult, we are all focused on our work, "recalled Liu Jingchuan, the former chief designer of the First Automobile Manufacturing Plant.
Starting from the second half of 1954, tall factories began to rise one after another. In order to carry out larger winter construction in a closed factory building of over 200000 square meters, Soviet expert Kirev proposed using locomotives for heating. So, the Ministry of Railways specially dispatched 8 steam engine locomotives from all over the country for use by FAW Construction.
Fu Yuwu, Honorary Chairman of the China Society of Automotive Engineers, said that the locomotive was transformed into a super large warm air blower. The workers sprayed steam on the ground while covering it with grass curtains. The factory director led the workers to work day and night, lifting their hands and shoulders to build FAW on the black soil.
In July 1956, the first batch of 12 Liberation brand cars were produced to thunderous applause. The news spread throughout China, and the people of the whole country were filled with immense pride and joy.
After the release of the Liberation brand cars, they quickly became the main force in urban and rural road transportation, and have become a profound memory for several generations. Subsequently, the first Dongfeng brand sedan and the first Hongqi brand luxury sedan in New China were also successfully developed, ending the history of China's inability to manufacture sedans and luxury sedans.
Fighting hard
In the early architectural complex of FAW, in the center of a lush pine forest, stands a 5-meter-high and 2.5-meter-wide marble monument, with a one ton medal embedded above it, recording the exciting history of FAW's transformation.
From the production of the first Jiefang brand car to the early 1980s, Jiefang brand cars remained unchanged and sales continued to decline, posing a life and death test for FAW.
On December 18, 1978, the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was solemnly held. The plenary session made a historic decision to shift the focus of the Party and state work to economic development and implement reform and opening up. Among them, "actively developing equal and mutually beneficial economic cooperation with countries around the world on the basis of self-reliance" is an important content.
The reform and opening up quickly opened up China's automobile market, and the demand for automobiles, especially passenger cars, among the people is increasing day by day. At that time, China's domestic automobile production capacity was less than one million vehicles, and solving the problem of "shortage of heavy and light products" was urgent and faced by all automobile companies, including FAW.
With the help of the reform and opening up, FAW closely relied on all cadres and employees, self raised funds for renovation, and ended the 30-year consistent system of Liberation Trucks. On January 1, 1987, the second generation CA141 automobile was officially put into production, and China Automotive Industry Corporation awarded FAW a one ton medal. FAW has created a miracle in the history of China's automobile development by "not stopping production, not reducing production, and undergoing vertical transformation".
Time is money, efficiency is life.
The reform and opening up, as well as China's accession to the World Trade Organization, have brought tremendous opportunities and challenges to the Chinese automotive industry. Including FAW, SAIC, BAIC, Dongfeng and other automobile groups have turned challenges into opportunities, actively keeping up with the times and partnering with world automotive giants such as Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Toyota, Audi, etc. to catch up with the pace of the times.
Here, a batch of car models have become well-known among Chinese households, making an important contribution to the country's efforts to block the consumption of large amounts of foreign exchange from imported cars. At the same time, the cooperation between large Chinese automobile groups and multinational corporations has brought a wealth of technology and advanced management experience.
Lin Ganwei, former general manager of FAW Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd., recalled that in 1987, Volkswagen came to FAW to seek cooperation opportunities. At that time, FAW had already purchased the Chrysler 488 engine production line, and Dr. Hahn, former chairman of Volkswagen Group, promised to install Chrysler engines into the Audi 100 model and achieved success.
With the efforts of all parties, on May 17, 1988, FAW and Audi signed a "Technology Transfer License Agreement for the Production of Audi in FAW", marking the beginning of Audi's entry into the Chinese market and resulting in significant profits for Audi. As of now, China has become Audi's largest single market in the world. In January of this year, FAW Audi reached a milestone of 10 million users.
In the first half of this year, Audi officially launched the pure electric sedan Audi A6L e-tron to the Chinese market at Audi FAW New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. located in Changchun. The Audi Q6L e-tron family also made a new appearance, accelerating the pace of electrification and enhancing the competitiveness of this German brand in the Chinese market.
Toyota launches Lexus pure electric R&D company and establishes an independent R&D system in China; Nissan has added 10 billion yuan for electrification research and development, and transferred the leadership of product development to the Chinese team... In addition, foreign component companies in China have also increased their innovation pace. Bosch plans to invest over 2.5 billion euros in artificial intelligence research and development by the end of 2027, with its automotive related businesses mainly concentrated in China and Europe.
At present, the Chinese automobile market is accelerating its transformation towards new energy and intelligence. As an important pivot for foreign car companies to develop in China, Sino foreign joint venture car companies are accelerating their layout and exploring new development space.
The Chinese automotive industry has accumulated strength for rapid development in the future through cooperation and win-win cooperation. Li Zhihong, who once served as the director of the General Manager's Office of FAW Volkswagen, said that for some time, some people have questioned the idea of "market for technology". However, joint ventures represented by FAW Volkswagen have trained a large number of leading talents in the automotive industry for the country, driven the development of the Fuyao Glass and other industrial chains, and laid a solid foundation for achieving a strong automotive country. This is the biggest achievement of joint venture cooperation.
Towards a New Strong Image
If Jiefang brand cars have opened up the "from scratch" of China's automobile industry, if joint ventures and cooperation have pushed China's automobile industry to catch up with the times, then new energy vehicles have achieved a leap from "following to leading" in China's automobile industry.
In the new era, China's automobile industry has kept in mind and practiced the mission that "developing new energy vehicles is the only way for China to move from a major automobile country to a strong automobile country", and has achieved tremendous development achievements, mastering a large number of key core technologies. A large number of vehicle and component enterprises such as BYD and CATL have grown rapidly.
According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, by 2025, the production and sales of new energy vehicles will reach 16.626 million and 16.49 million respectively, an increase of 29% and 28.2% year-on-year, ranking first in the world for 11 consecutive years. Currently, China's new energy vehicle industry is accelerating the research and development of key core technologies such as solid-state batteries, next-generation chassis, and automotive chips, continuously strengthening the industry chain and leading strength.
Looking back at the tumultuous 70 years, the achievements of China's automotive industry today are by no means accidental.
——This is a concentrated manifestation of listening to the call of the Party and serving the country through industry. It is precisely because of the far sightedness of the Party Central Committee, relying on the institutional advantage of concentrating efforts to accomplish great things, that China's automobile industry has embarked on an extraordinary path of rise in 70 years, from mobilizing national efforts to build FAW during the "First Five Year Plan" period to policy guidance and market driven development of the new energy vehicle industry in the new era. Under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, generations of automobile workers have adhered to the ideal belief of serving the country through industry, are willing to dedicate themselves, and are determined to move forward unwaveringly. Rao Bin, known as the "father of China's automobile industry," directly led the construction of FAW and FAW (Dongfeng). His words in his later years are touching: "I am old and can no longer do anything, but I am willing to become a bridge that allows FAW cars to pass over me
——This is a firm choice of independent innovation and hard work. From the "zero breakthrough" of Jiefang brand, to the "Oriental Luxury" of Hongqi sedan, from catching up with the times through joint ventures and cooperation, to the "lane changing overtaking" of China's new energy vehicle industry represented by BYD, CATL, etc., relying on independent innovation and continuous struggle, China's automotive industry not only provides diversified automotive products for domestic consumers, but also becomes an important participant and contributor to the global automotive industry transformation. Liang Weipeng, Vice President of China FAW Research and Development Institute, said that Chinese car people have always adhered to the concept of "me as the main driver". Everyone knows that core technology can never be bought, and in order to avoid being choked, they must firmly grasp the core technology in their own hands.
——This is a torch passed down from generation to generation that never forgets its original intention and strives for excellence. Yang Yongxiu, the Chief Skill Master of China FAW Research and Development Institute, who is still young, always holds a dream in his heart: to hone the world's top precision manufacturing skills and make the "Red Flag" car brand more famous and confident in the new era. He said, "We are able to firmly grasp the most precise engine and the most intelligent control system in our own hands. Seeing our Red Flag car advancing with the country and the times, we feel particularly honored. Countless craftsmen from great countries like him, with their ingenuity and dedication, have enabled Chinese cars with excellent quality to sail to the world.
At the Beijing Auto Show in April this year, China FAW Hongqi brand made a heavyweight debut with its three major sub brands' new product lineup. Three new products, the all-new Red Flag H9, the all-new Red Flag H7, and the Red Flag Off road Production Edition, were unveiled simultaneously. The three Red Flag Golden Sunflower themed customized models were jointly released, and the Red Flag Tiangong "S-concept" concept car made a stunning debut, presenting the latest products of the Red Flag brand in all aspects.
China FAW Chairman Qiu Xiandong introduced that during the 14th Five Year Plan period, the "Red Flag" brand focused on "three electric" and "three intelligent" and implemented a series of major strategic layouts, technological innovations, and organizational adjustments. It made every effort to build three major technology platforms: Tiangong Pure Electric, Honghu Hybrid, and Jiuzhang Intelligent, and constructed three sub brands: Red Flag, Red Flag Tiangong, and Red Flag Golden Sunflower. From mainstream luxury and trendy technology to top-level luxury, it achieved a triple leap in coverage breadth, trend popularity, and brand height.
The Red Flag brand is just a typical example of the development of Chinese independent brands. Many industry observers around the world believe that China's automotive industry is leading the global trend of automotive industry transformation, from "market for technology" to "independent innovation leading", from "joint venture cooperation" to "reverse joint venture".
On May 28th, SAIC Group completed the delivery of its first 100 million vehicles, becoming the first automotive group in the history of China's automotive industry to achieve cumulative production and sales of over 100 million vehicles. Previously, only the United States, Japan, Germany, South Korea, and other countries had "billion dollar car companies". China has officially entered the "first tier" of the global automotive industry. Cui Dongshu, Secretary General of the All China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said, "These 100 million vehicles are not the end point, but the 'starting point' for China's automobile industry to continue to create brilliance
Under the empowerment of new energy intelligent networking, the increasingly powerful Chinese automotive industry is heading towards the world. Not only are national car brands such as BYD and Chery accelerating their overseas expansion, but some joint venture brands are also accelerating their transition from "selling cars" to "rooting overseas", from product exports to brand and ecological expansion. Chinese cars are gaining the ability to contribute more to global travel.
In June, the launch ceremony of the joint venture FAW Volkswagen's Jetta brand officially entering the Uzbekistan market was held during the Tashkent International Forum. In the future, the Jetta brand will continue to explore overseas markets and will be launched in countries such as Madagascar and Kazakhstan in the third quarter of this year. At the same time, it is evaluating opportunities to enter more emerging markets such as the Middle East, Africa, and ASEAN.
Uzbekistan is the first step in our plan to explore high growth markets through Chinese made products, "said Qi Zekai, CEO of Volkswagen's passenger car brand in China." With our layout in China and deep integration of our supply chain in China, we can provide strong support for the brand's global growth strategy
Fu Bingfeng, Executive Vice President and Secretary General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, stated that China will deepen exchanges and cooperation with the global automotive industry with a more open attitude, actively integrate into the global industrial chain, innovation chain, and value chain.
Seventy years of wind and rain, seventy years of spring blossoms and autumn fruits. In the first year of the 15th Five Year Plan, with innovation as the engine, hard work as the wheel, and craftsmanship as the chassis, China's automobile industry is providing solid support for the high-quality development of the Chinese economy.
The 70 years of China's automobile industry is a history of self-made and self reliant struggle, a song of independent innovation and courage to climb new heights, and a magnificent chapter of open cooperation and win-win future.
Searching for dreams in the mountains and seas, unaware of their distance; The road ahead is long and arduous, walking with great strides. From a major automobile country to a strong automobile nation, China's automobile industry is heading towards a broader sea of stars with a high spirited attitude. (Looking into the New Era)