Workers move into high gear at one of the production lines of FAW Group. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

China FAW Group – one of China's major auto manufacturers, based in Changchun, capital city of Northeast China's Jilin province – is on the move, in an initiative it hopes will shape the landscape of its sector for years to come.

The company has laid out its development path for scientific and technological innovation and has redoubled its efforts to produce achievements in such emerging technology fields as new energy autos and intelligent-networked vehicles.

Over the past two years, China FAW has ranked first in the automotive industry in terms of its patent authorizations, with a total of 9,511 patent applications last year, a year-on-year increase of 196 percent.

Of those, 5,608 were invention patents, a surge of 408 percent. In addition, 143 key core technologies have reportedly been developed.

Workers get busy at Hongqi's Fanrong plant. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

Also, the company is reported to be making every effort to promote its low-carbon transformation through the implementation of green manufacturing, the promotion of emissions reductions in the entire industry supply chain, technological changes and the optimization of its product structure.

To this end, FAW Group's Hongqi Fanrong factory – or prosperity plant – was officially opened in Changchun city, in Northeast China's Jilin province, with the ceremony held on June 29 last year.

It will be mainly responsible for the output of new energy vehicles, with an annual standard production capacity of 240,000 vehicles.

The automation level of the factory is reportedly at the leading tier in the sector. At present, the Hongqi E-QM5 and the new Hongqi H5 car models have gone into production there. It is expected that three models under development will be mass-produced at the plant by the end of the year.

Luxury Hongqi cars go on display at its Fanrong plant. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]