The 60 millionth vehicle of FAW Group as well as the 9 millionth vehicle of FAW Jiefang rolls off the production line in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, July 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)
CHANGCHUN, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- In the heart of China's industrial northeast, a manufacturing titan is undergoing a quiet transformation. FAW Jiefang, the commercial truck behemoth that represents the very roots of the country's automotive industry, is steering its massive operations toward uncharted territories, far beyond the familiar domestic markets that it has long dominated.
The company's general manager, Yu Changxin, describes this strategic shift with a sense of historic mission. "Jiefang is the foundation of FAW and the origin of new China's automotive industry," Yu told Xinhua in an exclusive interview, pointing to the brand's over-70-year history. "In light of new challenges and objectives, we will accelerate our global expansion, building a second growth curve."
This goes far beyond simply exporting more trucks. What's underway is a fundamental shift in how the Chinese industrial giant goes global. Instead of merely shipping products overseas, FAW Jiefang is transplanting its entire industrial ecosystem, partnering with suppliers, dealers, and even financial service providers to build a comprehensive presence in new markets. (....)