25.06.2018 CHINESE FAW TRUCKS RUN THE SILK ROAD TO ITADESIGN RENDEZVOUS

FAW JIEFANG J7 2018

Two FAW Jiefang J7 trucks will arrive at Italdesign Headquarters in Italy today (Monday 25 June), after a 60-day trip, running backwards along the 20,000 km of the Silk Road.

Two FAW Jiefang J7 trucks will arrive at Italdesign Headquarters in Italy today (Monday 25 June), after a 60-day trip, running backwards along the 20,000 km of the Silk Road.
 
Leaving China early last month (5 May) the trucks have crossed Kazakhstan, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and, finally into Italy, to end their trip back “home”.The arrival ceremony will be held inside Italdesign Headquarters in Moncalieri.

The J7 project started in 2012 in Italy, when Chinese OEM FAW Jeifang asked Italdesign to design their new-generation truck.

It is always a great satisfaction when you have the chance to actually see “on the road” one of your ideas,” says Italdesign’s Head of Design Filippo Perini. “Whether they’re supercar, mass produced car or, just like in this case, heavy trucks. For a designer, and the entire team who worked on the J7 project it will be a great moment when the trucks will arrive in Italdesign after such a long trip”.

The idea of travelling on the Silk Road backwards, that in ancient times was the commercial road between the Roman and Chinese Empires, besides demonstrating the quality and reliability of the J7 trucks, represents an ideal connection between the Chinese transport industry and Italy, where the story of automobile and car design were born.

FAW is China’s oldest vehicle manufacturer and was formed on 13 July 1956, under the guidance of the China's Central Committee and, with assistance from the former Soviet Union, construction of China's first automotive production base was completed. Known at that time as First Automotive Works (FAW) and now as First Automotive Group Corporation, this huge car and truck manufacturer is headquartered in Changchun.

In the late 1950's, FAW quickly responded to market demand and commenced automotive and bus production, soon making FAW the leading producer of buses and tourist coaches in China and passed the 1-million-unit annual sales figure in 2005.

FAW has ambitions to sell its seventh-generation J7 heavy truck, which is sold under its Jiefang brand, into international markets. The truck was officially launched into production on 18 April.

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