China's First Car Anniversary Gathers Automotive Industry
The 70th anniversary of the first Chinese-made car, the FAW Jiefang CA10 truck, was celebrated in Changchun. Over 20 automotive manufacturers attended the event.
A significant milestone in China's automotive history, the 70th anniversary of the first domestically produced car rolling off the assembly line, was commemorated in Changchun on July 13. The vehicle, the FAW Jiefang CA10 truck, marked the commencement of China's automobile manufacturing in 1956.
The commemoration saw the participation of over 20 prominent Chinese automotive companies, including major players such as BYD, Xiaomi, and NIO. The event highlighted the long and evolving journey of China's auto industry. Fu Bingfeng, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, delivered a keynote speech expressing gratitude to the industry's pioneers and supporters.
The FAW Jiefang CA10, affectionately known as the "Lao Jiefang" (Old Jiefang), was based on the Soviet ZIS-150 truck. It became China's first mass-produced automobile brand. This model remained in continuous production for 30 years, with the final unit rolling out in September 1986, totaling over 1.28 million vehicles. The truck became an iconic symbol of early Chinese industrial capability.
The gathering in Changchun served not only to honor the past but also as a platform for contemporary manufacturers to acknowledge their industry's roots and their place in its ongoing development. It reflects the substantial growth and transformation of China's automotive sector from its foundational stages to its current position as a global industrial powerhouse.