Despite unprecedentedly serious market condition, FAW Jiefang Co Ltd saw a solid development last year.
The fact that market demand concentrated on heavy and middle-duty trucks in 2006 tested the speed of product lineup adjustment by domestic truck manufacturers. In addition, the implementation of the weight-based toll policy, and of the China-III emission standard in certain areas ahead of schedule challenged the research and development (R&D) level and technical strength of these corporations.
Moreover, a fierce price war broke out among the trucks with similar quality.
Given all these debilitating factors, the sales and market share of Jiefang trucks maintained the leading position in the Chinese truck industry, while Jiefang's brand value reached 11.462 billion yuan in 2006, topping the industrial list for five years in a row.
The fifth-generation products, represented by Aowei, Hanwei, Dawei and Junwei, earned many honors, thanks to their outstanding quality. For instance, at the 2006 Petroleum Vehicle Equipment Safety Management Forum, Jiefang trucks were awarded the title of Trustworthy Vehicle by China Petroleum Corporations. In addition, the Jiefang Aowei heavy-duty truck has gained general public praise because of its advantage of oil saving.
During the activity of the Chinese Consumers' Most Trustworthy Auto Manufacturers Poll, jointly launched by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and China Mechanical Engineering Society, FAW Jiefang snatched five laurels, including Chinese Consumers' Most Trustworthy Automaker, Automaker with the Best After-Sales Services, China's Most Influential Automaker, China's No 1 Honest Automaker and Chinese Consumers' Favorite Commercial Vehicle Brand.
In 2007, the company is expected to witness a great forward leap with the completion of its product structure adjustment. The sixth-generation heavy trucks of Jiefang will come in the first half, representing the highest technical standard in China.
Apart from the introduction of new products, great emphasis will also be attached to the development of regional markets, expansion of the special vehicle market, marketing staff training and the improvement of user satisfaction.
(China Daily February 1, 2007)