FAW steps up commercialization process of new-energy vehicles

China’s major automaker FAW has stepped up the commercialization of new-energy vehicles. During China’s 10th Five-Year Plan period (2001-2005), FAW had succeeded in developing a hybrid electric bus and an automobile. The hybrid bus could save petrol by 25% and reduce emissions by 30%, while the hybrid automobile could save 40% of gasoline consumption and cut emissions by 30%, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology. In 2009, FAW introduced 162 petrol-electric hybrid buses in Dalian, 100 gas-electric hybrid buses in Changchun, and 20 petrol-electric hybrid buses in Kunming. FAW is now expanding its market share in Chongqing and Chengdu. In 2010, FAW introduced five fuel-cell cars during the Shanghai World Expo. (September 29, 2010)