Shanghai (ZXZC)- On April 18, Chinese state-owned automaker FAW Group officially unveiled its L4 self-driving truck and announced that the all-new Jiefang J7 has been off the production line.

As FAW Group’s self-owned commercial vehicle (CV) brand, the Jiefang delivered around 90 thousand MD/HD trucks in the first quarter this year, jumping 16.3% year on year and occupying 24.2% market shares in this segment nationwide. According to FAW Group’s introduction, the Jiefang J7, regarding European's counterparts as benchmark, has been upgraded in exterior, interior, configuration as well as manufacturing procedure.

At the launching ceremony, the automaker also showcased its AI intelligent driving system UNI. Hu Hanjie, general manager of FAW Jiefang showed a demo that demonstrated how a Jiefang truck with L4 autonomous driving system runs on roads. Then the company launched a world premiere of its ICV (intelligent container vehicle) which was designed for port operation.  

After the launching ceremony, FAW Jiefang signed strategic agreements with Port of Qingdao and Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) respectively to extend broader cooperation in intelligent commercial vehicle development, core technology research, marketing promotion and operation etc.

It is worth mentioning that FAW Group received provisional licenses from Changchun municipal government that allow some specified autonomous models, including the Hongqi H7, the Besturn X80 and the Jiefang J7, to be tested on roads.

Just one day later, the group obtained a similar license for its Hongqi H7 from another city Chongqing.