Workers move into high gear on the production line at FAW Group's Hongqi plant. [Photo/Jilin Daily]

Chinese automobile manufacturer FAW Group Corporation – based in Changchun city, in Northeast China's Jilin province – has recorded encouraging growth in overseas markets with its overseas business now covering 78 countries and regions in Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, according to local media reports.

In April 2021, first-day sales of its new Hongqi brand models in Saudi Arabia reached 46 vehicles. In June, Hongqi exported 234 of its H9 and HS5 models to Saudi Arabia.

In the same year, FAW's Hongqi brand opened sales branches in such cities in the region as Jeddah, Dammam and Riyadh.

In September, Hongqi's E-HS9 pure electric smart SUV model was exported to Europe, receiving orders for over 500 units during the pre-sales period in Norway alone. This was seen as an important breakthrough in its high-end overseas new energy vehicle market.

FAW's Coega plant in South Africa is the company's first self-operated overseas factory, covering an area of about 87,000 square meters. Since it started production, it has continued to hire and train top-quality personnel from the local auto industry and has filled 240 job positions.

Widely regarded as having excellent product quality and services, FAW is reported to have maintained the top position in exports of its own brand of medium and heavy trucks to South Africa, achieved sales topping 1,000 units over eight consecutive years.