Which is stronger, FAW or SAIC?
3 Answers
The following is a comparison between FAW and SAIC: FAW was established earlier and holds a higher status: The predecessor of FAW Group was China's First Automobile Works, founded in 1953, making it the earliest automobile manufacturing company in China. Although SAIC Group's history can be traced back to 1900, at that time, SAIC was merely a machine repair factory, and it wasn't until 1955 that Shanghai Automobile Manufacturing Factory was officially established. FAW and SAIC operate under different models: As a state-owned automobile enterprise, FAW will never collapse, but precisely because it is a state-owned enterprise, the production enthusiasm of its internal employees is not very high. SAIC, on the other hand, is different. As the largest listed company in the automotive sector in China's A-share market, SAIC operates under a commercialized model, which means that SAIC employees need to work hard to receive corresponding rewards. FAW has a richer portfolio of brand models: Whether it's FAW Toyota and GAC Toyota, or FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC Volkswagen, FAW has more brands or models in this regard. For example, Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group, also belongs to FAW, while SAIC can only get the Phideon, which is based on the Audi A6L chassis, as compensation. FAW Toyota holds Toyota's main models such as the Corolla, Prado, and RAV4, while GAC Toyota only has the Camry and Highlander.
To compare FAW and SAIC in terms of strength, we need to look at their history. FAW is China's first automobile manufacturer, producing Jiefang trucks as early as 1953. That old-school state-owned enterprise vibe is truly unique, with the Hongqi brand carrying decades of profound cultural heritage. However, SAIC later surged ahead through joint ventures with GM and Volkswagen, seeing sales skyrocket to become the domestic leader. I've checked online data - SAIC sold over 5 million vehicles in 2023 with significantly higher global revenue, though FAW also performs well in heavy-duty vehicles and independent brands. In pure market performance terms, SAIC probably has the edge, given how ubiquitous their Shanghai-made joint venture cars are on the streets, making them more accessible to average consumers.
Speaking of sales figures, SAIC is indeed more impressive. According to industry reports, SAIC has been the domestic sales leader for several consecutive years, reaching around 5.4 million vehicles last year with revenues exceeding 100 billion yuan, leaving competitors far behind. Although FAW has a longer history, its sales volume is about 3.5 million vehicles, which is significantly lower. SAIC's Roewe and MG brands are quite popular, offering affordable prices, and I often see friends driving them; FAW's Hongqi is more high-end but niche. In terms of the everyday car market, SAIC has stronger capabilities and a more extensive dealership network, making it easier to find a 4S shop. However, don't underestimate FAW—it's an expert in the truck and commercial vehicle sector.
