Changchun the Detroit of China

Charles Chaw, producer of 6 episodes "Inside China Next Powerhouse", presents the opportunities of Northeastern China. In this Part 1 of fourth episode: Changchun, this city is the provincial capital of Jilin Province, which is a traditional agriculture belt, famous for its bountiful harvests of corn. Changchun, literally means "a long period of spring." Changchun however is more famous for its automobile industry. More than any other Chinese city, Changchun's fate is closely tied to its automobile industry. Some 70% of the city's industrial output is tied to this industry. Changchun is aptly known as the "Detroit of China."

First Automotive Works, or FAW Group, is the backbone of Changchun's automobile industry. It is also China's largest automobile manufacturer. Three years after it was founded with the help from the Soviet Union, in 1956. The company rolled out its first product, the truck branded as "Jiefang", or liberation. The Jiefang truck was also the first vehicle made entirely in China and proved that Chinas could make its own vehicles. Soon, FAW expanded into passenger cars, and the Hongqi, used exclusively as the sedan for the country's leaders, became the flagship model. With the prestige accorded to it, the Hongqi was the pride of FAW, and FAW, the pride of China. Under the central planning economic system, the city was designated as the key automobile production base. The Hongqi brand heralded Changchun's status as China's automobile city.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• First Auto Works
• FAW
• Hongqi
• Audi
• Volkwagen
• Changchun
• Charles Chaw
• China Knowledge
• Yang Jun Liang