When it comes to the Chinese auto industry, many people think of modern electric cars. BYD or budget crossovers Geely. But few people know that the roots of this industry go back to the middle of the 20th century - to the time when China was just beginning to master the production of cars. The first Chinese automobile plant became not just an enterprise, but a symbol of the country’s technological breakthrough, which today dictates trends in the global automobile market.
In this article we will look at how it appeared China's first automobile plant, what models it produced, why its creation was a turning point for the country's economy, and how it influenced modern Chinese brands. You will learn little-known facts about cooperation with the USSR, the first production cars and why this plant laid the foundation for China's current leadership in the automotive industry.
We will pay special attention unique model Jiefang CA-10 - the first production truck in China, which became a copy of the Soviet one ZIS-150, but with Chinese modifications. This car not only launched mass production, but also became the first step towards China's independence from imported equipment.
Historical context: why China decided to build car factories
After the end of the Civil War in 1949, the young PRC faced an acute shortage of transport vehicles. The country, destroyed by decades of war, needed trucks to restore the economy, but there was no domestic production. Until the 1950s, China imported cars from the USSR, USA and Europe, which was extremely costly and dependent on the political situation.
The decisive turning point came in 1953, when Mao Zedong announced the beginning of the first Five Year Plan — plan for the industrialization of the country. One of the key tasks was the creation of our own automobile industry. To do this, China turned to the Soviet Union, which at that time was its main technological partner, for help.
- 📅 1953 — signing an agreement with the USSR on assistance in the construction of an automobile plant.
- 🏗️ Changchun - a city in the province of Jilin, chosen to locate the enterprise (today the headquarters is located here FAW Group).
- 💰 Soviet loan in the amount of 150 million rubles (a colossal amount at that time) for construction and equipment.
Interesting fact: it was originally planned to build a plant in Harbin, but due to its proximity to the Soviet border (and potential vulnerability in the event of a conflict), the choice fell on Changchun, a city with developed infrastructure and distance from borders.
The first Chinese automobile plant: FAW (First Automobile Works)
Official opening First Automobile Works (FAW) took place July 15, 1956. This event was a turning point not only for China, but also for the whole of Asia - before this, not a single Asian country (with the exception of Japan) had a full-fledged automobile production. The plant was built on the model of Soviet enterprises, and its first name was “Changchun Automobile Plant No. 1.”
Production capacity FAW were originally intended for release 30,000 trucks per year - at that time this was a record for non-European countries. Soviet specialists helped not only in construction, but also in training Chinese engineers. The first 1,200 plant employees underwent training at ZIL and GAZ.
⚠️ Attention: Despite Soviet assistance, China strove for technological independence from the very beginning. Already in 1958 FAW began to modify Soviet drawings to suit local conditions, which later led to the creation of completely Chinese models.
| Parameter | Data FAW (1956) | For comparison: ZIL (USSR, 1950s) |
|---|---|---|
| Plant area | 4.5 km² | 3.2 km² (Moscow ZIL) |
| Number of employees | 18,000 people | 25,000 people |
| First model | Jiefang CA-10 (copy ZIS-150) | ZIS-150 |
| Annual release (plan) | 30,000 trucks | 50,000 trucks |
Jiefang CA-10: China's first production car
Debut model FAW became a truck Jiefang CA-10 (Chinese: “Liberation”), which came off the assembly line July 13, 1956 - two days before the official opening of the plant. In fact it was an exact copy of the Soviet one ZIS-150, but with Chinese logos and minor changes to the body.
Specifications CA-10:
- 🔧 Engine: 6-cylinder petrol, 5.5 l, 90 hp. (copy ZIS-120).
- 🚛 Load capacity: 4 tons.
- ⛽ Fuel consumption: 32 l/100 km (catastrophically high by modern standards).
- 💨 Max. speed: 65 km/h.
Despite being primitive by today's standards, CA-10 became a revolution for China. Before its appearance, the country imported only several hundred trucks per year, and after launch FAW this figure has grown into the thousands. By 1960 it had already been released 10,000 copies, which allowed China to begin exporting to neighboring countries (Vietnam, North Korea, Pakistan).
Why Jiefang CA-10 called "Chinese tank"
Initially, the truck was designed taking into account military needs. Its frame and suspension were reinforced for off-road driving, and the cabin had armored elements. In the 1960s CA-10 was actively used for transporting troops and equipment during border conflicts with India and the USSR.
Soviet legacy and the first Chinese innovations
In the early years FAW completely dependent on Soviet technology. All drawings, equipment and even raw materials (steel, rubber) were supplied by the USSR. However, after rupture of Sino-Soviet relations in 1960 China finds itself in technological isolation. This became a catalyst for our own developments.
Already in 1964 FAW presented Jiefang CA-30 - the first truck with Chinese engine (modification of the Soviet ZIL-130, but with local improvements). And in the 1970s, the plant began experiments with diesel engines, which was an innovation for Asia.
- 🔄 1964: Launch CA-30 with Chinese engine CA6102 (100 hp).
- 🛢️ 1978: China's first diesel truck CA141.
- 🚗 1980s: Start of production of passenger cars (together with Volkswagen).
⚠️ Attention: During the 1970s and 1980s, the quality of Chinese cars remained poor due to the lack of modern technology. For example, engine life CA-30 did not exceed 150,000 km, and the bodies rusted in 3–5 years. This was one of the reasons why Chinalater turned to foreign partners (for example, VW and Toyota).
☑️ Key milestones FAW in 1956–1980
Influence FAW on the modern automobile industry in China
Today FAW Group is a giant with a turnover of more than $100 billion, owning brands Hongqi (premium cars), Jiefang (trucks) and joint ventures with Volkswagen, Toyota and Mazda. But few people remember that it all started with one factory in Changchun and a copy of a Soviet truck.
Main consequences of creation FAW:
- 🏭 Industrialization: The plant became a model for other enterprises (for example, Dongfeng and SAICfounded later).
- 🌍 Export: By the 1980s, China was exporting trucks to 30 countries, laying the foundation for today's global presence.
- 🔋 Electric cars: Experience FAW in the production of commercial vehicles helped China become a leader in the segment of electric buses and trucks.
Now FAW - one of the three largest automakers in China (along with SAIC and Dongfeng) and takes 5th place in the world in terms of production volume (after Toyota, VW, Hyundai-Kia and GM). Without the first plant in Changchun this would not have happened.
If you are looking for a reliable Chinese truck today, look no further than FAW Jiefang J6 - direct heir CA-10, but with modern diesel engines Weichai and a resource of more than 1 million km.
Myths and reality about the first Chinese automobile plant
Around FAW and Jiefang CA-10 There are many myths circulating. Let's look at the most common ones:
- Myth: «CA-10 was entirely a Chinese development."
Reality: It was a copy ZIS-150, and for the first 3 years all parts were supplied from the USSR. It was not until 1960 that China began to localize production.
- Myth: “China immediately began exporting cars.”
Reality: The first export deliveries began only in the 1960s, and then to the countries of the “socialist camp”. Chinese cars began to be supplied to Europe only in the 1990s.
- Myth: «FAW was the first automobile plant in Asia."
Reality: Japan started producing cars earlier (e.g. Toyota founded in 1937), but FAW became the first full-cycle factory in China - from casting parts to assembly.
Another common stereotype is that Chinese cars from the 1950s to 1980s were “total garbage.” In fact, in terms of reliability Jiefang CA-10 was not inferior to Soviet trucks of that time, and in some aspects (for example, ease of repair) even surpassed them. Problems began later when China tried to modernize outdated models on its own without access to new technologies.
Where can you see the first Chinese car today?
If you want to touch history, several copies Jiefang CA-10 preserved in museums:
- 🏛️ Museum FAW in Changchun — the first truck to come off the assembly line is on display here (1956).
- 🚚 Beijing Automobile Museum - restored one on display CA-10 in original red color.
- 🌏 Shanghai Transport Museum — there is a comparative exhibition with Soviet and Japanese trucks of that period.
Interesting fact: in 2016 for the 60th anniversary FAW was released anniversary Jiefang CA-10 in a limited edition (10 copies). These machines were hand built with original drawings but with modern materials. One of them was given to Xi Jinping and is now kept in the Party Museum.
The first Chinese automobile plant FAW not only gave the country transport independence, but also became a school for thousands of engineers who later created Geely, BYD and other modern brands.
FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions
Why was the first Chinese car a truck and not a car?
In the 1950s, China was in dire need of transportation to rebuild its economy after the wars. Trucks were a priority as they were used to transport construction materials, food and military supplies. Passenger cars were considered a luxury and began to be produced only in the 1980s (together with Volkswagen).
How much did it cost Jiefang CA-10 in the 1950s?
The official price was 20,000 yuan (at the exchange rate of that time - about $10,000). By comparison, the average salary of a Chinese worker in 1956 was 30 yuan per month. Thus, the truck was worth more than the average citizen's 50 years' income. They were purchased primarily by state-owned enterprises.
Is it true that FAW copied not only ZIS-150, but also other Soviet models?
Yes, in the 1960s–1970s FAW produced copies of several Soviet cars:
- Jiefang CA-10 - copy ZIS-150.
- Hongqi CA72 (1958) - copy GAZ-12 ZIM (executive sedan for officials).
- Dongfeng EQ240 (1970s) - copy GAZ-63 (four-wheel drive truck).
However, by the 1980s, China switched to its own developments and cooperation with Western brands.
What are the modern models? FAW can be considered heirs CA-10?
The direct successors are the series trucks Jiefang J6 and J7, which preserve the philosophy of reliability and ease of repair inherent in CA-10. Heritage among passenger cars FAW can be seen in the models Hongqi (for example, Hongqi H9 - flagship sedan for government needs).
Why was China able to overtake other Asian countries in the auto industry?
Key factors:
- State support: Unlike Japan or Korea, where the auto industry was developed by private companies (Toyota, Hyundai), in China the industry was controlled by the state from the very beginning (via FAW, SAIC, Dongfeng).
- Cheap labor: Salaries at factories were 5–10 times lower than in Japan or Europe.
- Copying + innovation: China started out by copying Soviet and Western models, but quickly moved on to its own developments (for example, electric cars BYD).
- Huge domestic market: China's population of 1.4 billion people has made it possible to increase production without dependence on exports.