China FAW Group Corporation, commonly referred to as FAW due to its original name "First Automotive Works", has undergone dramatic developments since the start of China's reform and opening-up in 1978.

The first Jiefang truck rolled off the assembly line on July 13, 1956. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com]

The Changchun-based automotive manufacturing company broke ground for its first factory on July 15, 1953. Since then, it has been at the forefront of promoting China's automobile industry. The company manufactured China's first Jiefang commercial truck in 1956, as well as China's first Dongfeng car and first Hongqi (red flag) luxury sedan in 1958.

In 1991, working in partnership with Volkswagen AG, FAW created a new state-of-the-art production facility with a yearly production capacity in excess of 150,000 units. In 2002, Tianjin Automobile Industry (Group) Corporation was merged into FAW Group Corporation, and began joint venture production with Toyota Motor Corporation. Its sales of complete cars hit more than one million units in 2004, topping China's major auto producers.

Faw Group manufactured China's first Hongqi luxury sedan in 1958. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com]

Over the past four decades, FAW has expanded its product line into six different categories of vehicles including light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks, cars, buses, and mini-vehicles. It has maintained its leading domestic market position while expanding into new international markets, executing a carefully planned strategy to build a comprehensive global organization.

FAW Jiefang Automotive Co Ltd, a truck subsidiary of FAW Group, sold a record 299,273 Jiefang trucks in the first 11 months of 2018. The company has introduced several new models to the market this year, including the seventh generation of its classic J7 heavy truck.

The Hongqi car series of the company, on the other hand, have always been linked with important events in China over the past 40 years. From Hongqi CA770TJ to Hongqi H7, it has witnessed a series of memorable historic moments such as the grand National Day celebration ceremonies and warm reception of heads of foreign states.

The first Jiefang J7 truck, the seventh generation of its kind, rolled off the assembly line on April 18, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com]