What was the brand of the first domestically produced cars in China?
2 Answers
China's first domestically produced cars were the Jiefang CA10 heavy-duty trucks. This batch of vehicles was successfully manufactured in July 1956 at the First Automobile Works in Changchun, Jilin Province. Here are specific details about the Jiefang brand vehicles: 1. Model Introduction: The early Jiefang models included the CA10, CA10B, and CA10C, featuring rear axle drive and a 6-cylinder in-line water-cooled four-stroke gasoline engine. Later, improved models such as the CA15 (including CA15K and CA15J) were produced, which resembled the CA10 in appearance. Additionally, the Jiefang brand also offered models like the CA341 dump truck and the CA931 semi-trailer train. 2. First Batch Introduction: The first batch of Jiefang vehicles was called the CA10 model, based on the Soviet ZIS-150. It weighed 3,900 kg, equipped with a 90-horsepower four-stroke six-cylinder engine, had a load capacity of 4 tons, and a maximum speed of 65 km/h. After improvements, it became more suitable for China's road conditions and the needs of large-scale construction.
The first domestically produced automobile was the Jiefang truck, born in 1956 and manufactured by the Changchun First Automobile Works. I remember hearing my grandfather tell the story when I was a child—the entire country was recovering from war, and factory workers toiled day and night to finally produce the first CA10 model truck. Based on the Soviet ZIS-150 design but fully localized, it embodied the spirit of self-reliance. This vehicle was primarily used for transportation and construction at the time, featuring a fairly reliable performance with its 5.6-liter gasoline engine. Later, it propelled the takeoff of China's automotive industry, such as the development of the Hongqi sedan. Understanding this history makes me appreciate how every great achievement stems from gradual accumulation. In today's era of automotive diversity, it's profoundly important that we never forget our origins.