FAW (First Automobile Works) is China’s oldest and one of its largest state-owned automotive manufacturers. Established in 1953, FAW played a key role in the development of China’s automotive industry. The company’s first product, the Jiefang CA10 truck, rolled out in 1956 and became a symbol of China’s industrial progress. Over the decades, FAW expanded into passenger cars, buses, and heavy trucks, often through joint ventures with global manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Toyota, and Mazda. Today, FAW produces vehicles under its own brands, including Hongqi (luxury sedans, famously used by Chinese government officials), Bestune, and Jiefang, while also manufacturing foreign-branded cars for the Chinese market. With its wide portfolio, FAW remains a cornerstone of China’s auto industry.

25 Questions about FAW

  • In what year was FAW founded?
  • What does the name FAW stand for?
  • What was the first vehicle produced by FAW?
  • In which city was FAW established?
  • What role did the Jiefang CA10 truck play in Chinese industry?
  • Which luxury brand is operated by FAW?
  • What is the significance of the Hongqi brand in Chinese politics?
  • Which joint venture partners has FAW collaborated with?
  • When did FAW Volkswagen begin producing cars in China?
  • What foreign models are manufactured under FAW Toyota?
  • What types of vehicles does FAW Jiefang specialize in?
  • What is the Bestune brand known for?
  • How many employees does FAW have today?
  • How important is FAW to China’s state-owned industrial sector?
  • Did FAW ever export vehicles outside of China?
  • What role did FAW play in modernizing China’s passenger car market?
  • Which sedan became the most iconic model of Hongqi?
  • How does FAW compare in size to SAIC and Dongfeng?
  • What electric vehicles does FAW produce?
  • What was the first passenger car model built by FAW?
  • How has FAW adapted to the rise of electric mobility in China?
  • Which foreign carmakers rely on FAW joint ventures for Chinese production?
  • How does the FAW Hongqi H9 compare to European luxury sedans?
  • Why is FAW considered a symbol of Chinese industrialization?
  • What legacy has FAW left in the global automotive industry?