FAW Hongqi Smart Plant Produces NEV Every 54 Seconds
At FAW's Hongqi Fanrong plant in Changchun, a new energy vehicle rolls off the line every 54 seconds, driven by extensive automation and smart manufacturing.
- 54 seconds per vehicle
- 1,000 vehicles
- 1.57 million vehicles
What Happened
In the Hongqi Fanrong plant, robotic arms and automated guided vehicles work alongside human technicians. The plant, which opened in 2021, operates at full capacity, producing around 1,000 vehicles daily. Over 70% of the stamping line is automated, and 739 robots handle welding.
54 seconds
Per new energy vehicle on the Hongqi Fanrong assembly line
“To meet the demands of Hongqi's evolving production lines and new models, we've developed an intelligent manufacturing system, enabling fault detection, adaptive control, predictive quality management, and autonomous energy use.”
FAW sold over 1.57 million vehicles in the first half of 2025, a 6.1% year-on-year increase. Self-developed NEV sales surged 95.5% to over 145,000 units. The company also unveiled its first flying car under the Hongqi brand, with a flight range of over 200 km.
“Mastering core technologies is key to achieving high-level self-reliance.”
Why this matters
FAW, China's oldest automaker, is modernizing its manufacturing with AI and robotics to boost efficiency and output, representing a broader push to revitalize northeast China's industrial base.
Terms in This Story
- NEV
- New Energy Vehicle, including battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
- Smart manufacturing
- Use of automation, data exchange, and AI in production processes.
- Automated guided vehicle
- Mobile robot that follows predefined paths to transport materials in a factory.
- Drive-by-wire
- Electronic control of vehicle functions like steering and braking, replacing mechanical linkages.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.