Employees at Faw Jiefang Automotive Company works in the company's factory in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province on march 4. Photos: cnsphotos

China's leading automaker FAW Group has launched a test base project for new energy vehicles (NEVs) and intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) in Changchun, capital of Northeast China's Jilin Province, where the company is headquartered.

With an investment totaling 2.69 billion yuan ($379.2 million), it is the first major project to be carried out since a 15-year plan to build an international city in Changchun was approved by the provincial government in February.

According to FAW, the test base project launched on Friday will cover an area of 266,000 square meters and will mainly consist of two testing areas for NEVs and ICVs. Another area will be for the testing of passive safety features, power cells, hydrogen fuel, as well as additive and subtractive manufacturing.

After completion, the base will provide FAW with whole-process research and development and testing capabilities for passenger cars, which will also promote the development of its iconic Hongqi brand products.

FAW Group Chairman Xu Liuping said at the launch ceremony that, supported by the new test base, FAW will accelerate the industrialization of NEVs and ICVs and create an ecological innovation circle for rapid and high-quality growth.