What brand of car was manufactured by Changchun FAW in 1956?
3 Answers
1956 saw its completion and commencement of production, manufacturing New China's first Jiefang brand truck. Relevant introduction about FAW is as follows: Origin of FAW's name: China FAW Group Corporation, abbreviated as China FAW or FAW, is headquartered in Changchun City, Jilin Province. Its predecessor was the First Automobile Works, with the factory name inscribed by Chairman Mao Zedong. FAW was founded in 1953, completed and put into production in 1956, producing New China's first Jiefang brand truck. Growth of FAW: In 1958, it manufactured New China's first Dongfeng brand sedan and the first Hongqi brand luxury car. The establishment of FAW marked a new history in China's automotive industry. After more than fifty years of development, FAW has become one of the largest automotive enterprise groups in China.
Oh, in 1956, Changchun FAW produced our first vehicle, the Jiefang truck, which was truly a groundbreaking moment for China's automotive industry. The Jiefang was primarily based on the Soviet GAZ design but was localized by us, with a load capacity of four tons and a six-cylinder engine structure, making it particularly capable of heavy-duty work. Back then, I was just starting to understand things, and I remember neighbors gathering excitedly to see it. The Jiefang was in high demand as soon as it rolled off the production line, proving useful for all kinds of construction tasks, from factories to rural areas, transporting goods. The Jiefang was produced for decades, selling countless units and driving the development of domestic vehicles. Looking back now, it wasn’t just a truck—it embodied the spirit of self-reliance. If you’re interested in industrial history, dig up some old materials; the stories of those classic Jiefang trucks are even more fascinating than new cars.
As an old-time auto mechanic, I know that in 1956, Changchun FAW manufactured the Jiefang CA10 truck. Its prototype was based on the Soviet GAZ-51, but we improved the chassis and engine, achieving a load capacity of around four tons with stable performance. Once the Jiefang model rolled off the production line, it immediately gained nationwide popularity, replacing imported vehicles and aiding the country's large-scale transportation infrastructure development. In my younger days, I repaired many of these trucks—their parts were simple and durable, though quite noisy and requiring some effort to operate. Today, some collectors still enjoy restored versions, as the CA10's retro design has a unique charm. Back then, the Jiefang's debut marked the rise of China's automotive industry.
