The FAW brand of trucks was launched in New Zealand in November. It enters the market with the promise of high quality and exceptional value for money – and we mean exceptional.

New Zealand is in the privileged position of being an attractive market for many of the world’s truck OEMs. As we’ve often commented, it is one of the most cosmopolitan markets in the world. Our operators are, therefore, not unused to another new truck brand appearing every so often, the arrival of which is usually met with a mixture of intrigue, expectation and preconception.

American trucks may be expected to be hardy, European trucks perhaps refined, and Japanese trucks dependable. However, expectations and preconceptions about Chinese trucks can be much more varied.

But one thing is becoming increasingly clear – Chinese trucks have changed almost unrecognisably over the past decade, so much so that the very latest are right up there in the hardiness, refinement and dependability stakes as their global counterparts. And possibly one of the leading brands in this regard is First Automotive Works, or FAW (pronounced F-A-W).

Over the past few years, the company set out to enter Australasia, and in January this year Intertruck Distributors NZ signed a long-term agreement as the brand’s importer, distributor and master dealer in the Land of the Long White Cloud – introducing another new brand to Kiwi operators (New Zealand Trucking magazine, September 2024). However, FAW is not a new name in global trucking, it has about seven decades of automotive production history.

Speaking at the launch event in November, Clinton Zhou from the FAW manufacturing team, based in Melbourne, commented that FAW sold almost 3.5 million vehicles globally in 2023, including close to 250,000 new- energy vehicles.

“These numbers represent our collective drive for progress and our strategy focused on global expansion,” he says.

“We have committed to leveraging our resources from five major domestic bases in China to support international growth. Alongside our existing operations in South Africa and Russia, we plan to establish six new regional branches, including here in Australasia.”

Indeed, FAW’s growth and success in South Africa have seen it become the country’s greatest-selling heavy truck brand today, and its high regard among operators in that country has been an encouraging factor for its introduction here.

“Operators there are walking away from other brands because of the reliability, comfort and fuel economy of the FAWs. They have proven the reliability of the product, and the fuel economy just is blitzing everything else,” comments Comer Board, director, Intertruck distributors NZ.

FAW has been testing its trucks in Australia for 18 months, ensuring they have the correct spec to meet expectations for operation in this part of the world. The first model to be introduced to the region is the the JH6 6×4 tractor unit in 550hp guise, which has recently received a 90-tonne CGM rating in Australia, although its current rating at introduction to New Zealand is 70 tonne.

So, what exactly does the JH6 offer operators? Quite a lot … Powering the unit is FAW’s 13L CA6DM3 engine. Featuring a single-stage turbo, Bosch fuel injection and a heated fuel/ water separator, it is rated at 410kW (550hp)/2600Nm (1917ft/lb). The unit is Euro-5 via SCR. Drive is through a 12-speed ZF TraXon AMT with four-stage intarder. Steering is by ZF, too, while Knorr-Bremse and Wabco provide the disk brakes and heavy-duty air-brake system respectively.

Suspension is three-leaf parabolic up front, with an axle rating of 7700kg, and eight-bag electronically controlled air suspension at the rear. The rear axles are rated at 26,000kg, including full diff and inter-axle locks and a 2.688 drive ratio. Intertruck says the 3975mm wheelbase provides maximum capability for VDAM and HPMV combinations. GVM is rated at 25,500kg while the tractor unit weights in at a very favourable 8170kg (dry).

Unfortunately, the rain gods opened their taps on the launch day, which put a dampener on the test-drive schedule. However, we were taken on a roughly 10km ride to at least get a taste of what the JH6 is like on the road. With a tri-axle semi loaded to 20 tonnes in tow, the FAW’s 13L motor pulls strongly with a ‘beefy’ sound. With the ZF transmission set in its ‘performance’ mode (an ‘economy’ mode is also available, each adjusting the shift patterns), the shifts are smooth and quick. It rolls along confidently and comfortably. The four-stage intarder does a good job of hauling up the unit.

The high-roof sleeper has four-point air suspension. The cab is spacious with a 1.95m ceiling height and seems well-insulated and quiet. There’s a double bunk as standard, with an under-bunk fridge drawer. The floor has thick rubber coverings – and the overall impression is of hard but durable materials that should stand up well to use.

Isri seats are fitted as standard as part of the high level of comfort and safety features. The dash houses a large 10in touch-screen infotainment system with full Bluetooth and USB connectivity. It also displays 360° camera images when indicating or reversing to mitigate any blind spots.

The full list of standard safety features is comprehensive and includes an ECE-29 Euro cab strength rating, electronic stability control and automatic traction control, electronic brake system with auto brake activation and advanced emergency braking, forward collision warning, collision mitigation system, and lane departure warning.

Of course, there are the likes of LED daytime running lights, cruise control with a speed-limiter function, heated mirrors and climate control … you get a hell of a lot of kit for your money.

And the money? $221,000, including on-road costs (ex GST). With a three-year/ unlimited-kilometre warranty, the overall package looks incredibly attractive. All current Intertruck service dealers will be able to work on the FAW product, and Clinton says FAW will provide a dedicated parts supply worth not less than $17,000 per vehicle – meaning full support is already in place.

There’s more to come, too. Comer says that Intertruck will develop the JH6 product offering in line with operator feedback and has already earmarked a few spec enhancements for the next batch of trucks coming in next year. Of course, there’s an 8×4 on the way, in a low-roof, low-floor version with a shorter bunk. “This will be ideal for the livestock and curtainsider market,” Comer says.

In addition, the medium-duty JK6 arrives in January. Featuring a smaller cab, a 320hp motor and AMT transmission, it’ll also be offered built up with a 4.5m steel bathtub body. Later in 2025, light-duty models will be introduced to round off the FAW range.

“The meaning behind First Automotive Works reflects its commitment to always being at the forefront, whether is a technological innovation, quality craftsmanship or building trust and partnerships,” says Clinton. “We are here not only to sell trucks but to learn from our New Zealand partners and the customers.”

Hardiness, refinement and dependability, combined with great value for money – it all seems to be there in the new FAW JH6. We’re looking forward to our full feature write-up when we experience one out on the road in the heat of daily operation.