In April 2006, FAW Group’s C301, a model that had long been surrounded by mystery, finally emerged as the first vehicle developed independently by FAW. This mid-to-high-end sedan, priced between 200,000 and 250,000 yuan, marked a significant shift for China’s domestic auto industry. It helped break the perception of self-owned brands as low-end and non-mainstream, and it also carried an important mission: being the first major brand to emerge under the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" era.
The push for "independent innovation" was gaining momentum in China's automotive sector. The government aimed to build large-scale enterprises capable of developing their own brands and technologies. During this period, the key task was for major auto groups to develop platform R&D capabilities, which is one of the most challenging aspects of independent development. Core technologies like engines and components needed to be mastered, and key companies were expected to have matching abilities in body, powertrain, and chassis systems.
Experts like Jiang Lei from the China Association of Automotive Engineers emphasized that China's auto industry had already built a solid foundation and scale, making it time to focus on independent brand development. Companies were urged to prioritize this effort, as it was no longer a distant goal but a pressing agenda.
Several domestic automakers took different approaches. Dongfeng focused on its commercial vehicle brand "Dongfeng," while Changan worked on transitioning from joint development to more independent design. GAC also set clear goals for its own-brand vehicles, with plans to launch a self-developed car by 2008. Meanwhile, SAIC and FAW made bold moves, aiming to significantly increase their self-owned brand production by 2010.
FAW invested heavily in the C301 project, spending over 1 billion yuan and testing 60 prototypes. Unlike Chery and Geely, which pursued original innovation, FAW and SAIC chose a path of high-end development by integrating global resources. For example, FAW leveraged Mazda’s technology, while SAIC used its connections with Ssangyong and Rover.
This strategy allowed them to build high-quality, competitive models without starting from scratch. However, they still recognized the importance of original innovation, especially in core components like engines and transmissions. Experts believe that focusing on high-end models may not yield immediate market success, but it helps build long-term brand value and technological capability.
China’s auto industry is gradually shifting toward self-reliance, with growing efforts to capture more value along the supply chain. As domestic brands expand into international markets, such as Europe, the future of China’s auto industry looks increasingly promising.
Reel Of Thread,Thread Reel,Silk Thread Reels,Sewing Thread Reels
Ningbo Dingming Machinery Manufacturing Co.,Ltd , https://www.dingmingmachine.com