Tianjin FAW
Former Chinese automobile manufacturer associated with the Xiali and Junpai marques and previously controlled by FAW Group.
Last updated October 9, 2026
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Overview
Tianjin FAW was a Chinese automobile manufacturer headquartered in Tianjin and historically affiliated with China FAW Group. The company operated under the formal name Tianjin FAW Xiali Automobile Co., Ltd. and sold vehicles through several marques, most notably Xiali, Vita, Huali and Junpai. Its products were concentrated in inexpensive passenger cars, compact sedans, hatchbacks, small multipurpose vehicles and, later, compact sport-utility vehicles. The company began operations in 1965 and initially belonged to the group of smaller Chinese automobile producers sometimes described as the country’s “three small” manufacturers. Its first vehicle was the Tianjin TJ210, derived from the Beijing BJ212. A later attempt to produce the TJ740, a Toyota-inspired sedan, was limited in scale. Tianjin’s business changed substantially during the 1980s when it sought foreign technology and selected Daihatsu as a partner. Local production of the Daihatsu Hijet began in 1984, followed by assembly of the Daihatsu Charade from 1986. The partnership gave Tianjin access to modern small-car designs and manufacturing know-how, while progressive increases in local parts content helped establish a domestic supply base. The Daihatsu-derived Xiali range became the company’s defining commercial success. Small Xiali hatchbacks and sedans were inexpensive to purchase and operate, and their low parts and maintenance costs made them particularly attractive to taxi operators. Xiali vehicles became common in Chinese cities and smaller towns, where they remained in taxi service for many years. The company reached third place in China’s passenger-car market in 1997 and second place by 2000, despite persistent criticism of product quality. Its volume expanded from a modest base in the late 1980s to almost 88,000 vehicles annually by 1996. Tianjin FAW broadened its portfolio through vehicles related to Toyota models, including the Xiali 2000, Vizi, Vela and later models sold under the Vita or Weizhi name. It also manufactured Huali-branded Daihatsu-derived mini trucks and participated in the Tianjin FAW Toyota joint venture. That joint venture became part of FAW Group’s wider Toyota manufacturing presence in China and produced Toyota-branded passenger cars for the domestic market, although it was distinct from the Xiali business. The company’s competitive position deteriorated after the emergence of newer Chinese automakers. Sales declined during the 2010s, while the business remained dependent on aging, low-margin products. The Xiali marque was discontinued in 2015 and replaced by Junpai, which introduced newer sedans and SUVs such as the D60, A50, A70, D80 and CX65. These products did not reverse the company’s decline. Vehicle production stopped in 2019, when annual output had fallen to approximately 1,186 units according to the cited reference material. In December 2019, FAW Xiali announced a restructuring involving China Railway Materials. FAW’s stake was to be transferred without consideration to facilitate the restructuring and a backdoor listing. In January 2021, the listed entity was renamed China Railway Materials, and the reorganized company no longer conducted automobile manufacturing. Tianjin FAW therefore survives primarily as a historical automobile manufacturer and brand family rather than as an independent active vehicle producer.
History
Tianjin FAW originated in 1965 as a Tianjin automobile producer during the early development of China’s modern automotive industry. Its first product was the Tianjin TJ210, an extended local production of the Beijing BJ212. Between 1973 and 1979 it also built a Toyota-inspired TJ740, though production was very limited. Seeking modern small-car technology, Tianjin selected Daihatsu as a foreign partner in 1983. The first Daihatsu-related vehicle, the Hijet-based mini truck, left the works in 1984. Local assembly of the Charade began in 1986. Domestic content rose from approximately 8% at the beginning of the cooperation to about 85% by 1987, indicating the rapid localization of the program. Production reached 12,202 vehicles in 1988, comprising Charade cars and Hijet-based minivans, and grew to nearly 88,000 vehicles annually by 1996. The company adapted the Charade program into the Xiali family. The TJ730 and subsequent TJ7100-series hatchbacks and sedans became inexpensive, mechanically simple vehicles suited to China’s developing urban transport market. Xiali cars were especially prominent as taxis because their parts were inexpensive and operating costs were low. The brand’s popularity helped Tianjin FAW rise to third place in the Chinese market in 1997 and second place by 2000. Some Xiali vehicles continued to serve as legal or informal taxis in smaller cities and rural areas well into the 2000s and 2010s. Tianjin FAW expanded beyond the original Charade derivatives. It produced Huali-branded Daihatsu mini trucks, including Hijet-based models, until 2002. It also introduced Toyota-related products such as the Xiali 2000, Vizi and Vela, while independent or semi-independent models were sold under names including Vita and Weizhi. The company’s relationship with Toyota also extended through Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., a joint venture that manufactured Toyota passenger cars for China under the broader FAW Group structure. By the 2010s, Tianjin FAW faced increasing pressure from newer domestic manufacturers offering more modern designs, improved equipment and broader model portfolios. The company’s adjusted net profit remained negative in 2013 and 2014, triggering a Shenzhen Stock Exchange delisting-risk warning. Sales fell from approximately 185,000 vehicles in 2012 to about 37,000 in 2016. The Xiali brand was discontinued in 2015 and replaced by Junpai, which introduced compact SUVs and sedans including the D60, A50, A70, D80 and CX65. The new range was unable to restore the company’s former market position. Production formally ended in 2019. In December of that year, FAW Xiali announced a restructuring plan involving China Railway Materials, with China First Automobile Co., Ltd. transferring its approximately 697 million shares, representing 43.73% of the pre-transaction share capital, without consideration. The transaction was intended to support a backdoor listing involving a China Railway Materials unit. On January 8, 2021, the listed company changed its name to China Railway Materials. The restructured entity no longer engaged in automobile production, marking the end of Tianjin FAW as an operating automobile manufacturer.
- 2021
Listed entity renamed China Railway Materials
[1]The reorganized listed company changes its name and exits automobile manufacturing.
- 2019
Vehicle production stops
[1]The company ceases model production after annual output falls to approximately 1,186 vehicles.
- 2016
Sales fall to approximately 37,000 vehicles
[1]Reported sales have dropped substantially from the 2012 level.
- 2015
Xiali is replaced by Junpai
[1]Tianjin FAW retires the Xiali marque and introduces Junpai.
- 2012
Sales decline begins to accelerate
[1]The company records approximately 185,000 vehicle sales, followed by a sustained decline.
- 2006
Xiali taxis phased out in Beijing
[1]Xiali taxis are retired from taxi service in February as part of an effort to reduce pollution.
- 2002
Huali mini-truck production ends
[1]Production of Hijet-based Huali Dafa mini trucks ends after an approximately eighteen-year run.
- 2000
Company reaches second place
[1]Tianjin FAW reaches second place in the Chinese market, driven by inexpensive Xiali vehicles.
- 1997
Xiali brand formally established
[1]The Xiali marque is formed as the company’s principal economy-car identity.
- 1997
Tianjin FAW reaches third place in China
[1]The company moves into third place in the Chinese automobile market.
Products and positioning
Mass-market Chinese small-car manufacturer emphasizing low purchase prices, inexpensive operation and practical urban transportation. Its historical strengths were affordable taxi vehicles and locally produced Daihatsu-based models; later Junpai products attempted to move the business toward more contemporary passenger cars and compact SUVs.
off-road vehicle · 1965
Tianjin TJ210
Tianjin FAW’s first reported vehicle, introduced in 1965. It was an extended local production derived from the Beijing BJ212 and represented the company’s early role in China’s developing automotive industry.
mini truck · 1984
Huali Dafa
A locally produced, Hijet-based mini truck sold under the Huali name. It used a small-displacement engine and manual transmission and became a practical commercial and taxi vehicle in China. Production ran from 1984 to 2002.
economy hatchback and sedan · 1988
Xiali TJ7100/TJ7131
A core Xiali family based on Daihatsu Charade technology. The range included hatchback and sedan configurations with small-displacement engines and was widely used as an affordable private car and taxi during the 1980s and 1990s.
economy hatchback and sedan · 2003
Xiali A and A+
Facelifted and updated versions of the earlier Xiali small-car architecture. The A and A+ families added revised bumpers, updated engine options and later larger-displacement versions while retaining the brand’s low-cost positioning.
compact hatchback · 2002
Xiali Vizi
A small hatchback related to the Toyota Vitz and sold in China as the Xiali Vizi. It broadened the company’s portfolio beyond its older Charade-derived cars and remained in production during the 2000s and early 2010s.
compact sedan · 2004
Xiali Vela
A compact sedan related to the second-generation Toyota Platz program. The Vela was positioned as a more modern small sedan within the Xiali range and was produced from 2004 to 2012.
compact hatchback · 2006
FAW Vita / Weizhi C1
An independently developed small car marketed domestically as Weizhi and in some markets as FAW Vita. It used Toyota-sourced engine technology and was later followed by the Weizhi V2 and V5.
economy hatchback and sedan · 2004
Xiali N3 and N3+
An updated Xiali family based on the company’s earlier small-car platform. The N3 was sold in hatchback and sedan forms, received a later facelift as the N3+, and was exported to Mexico under the F1 name for a limited period.
compact SUV · 2014
Junpai D60
One of Junpai’s principal attempts to move Tianjin FAW into the growing compact-SUV segment. It was offered with 1.5-litre and 1.8-litre engine options and remained in production from 2014 to 2019.
compact sedan · 2016
Junpai A50 and A70
Junpai compact sedans introduced during the company’s final product cycle. The A70 appeared in 2016, while the A50 followed as a newer small sedan with a 1.5-litre engine.
SUV · 2018
Junpai D80
A larger Junpai SUV introduced during the brand’s final years. It formed part of the company’s effort to refresh its range around SUV products before vehicle production ended.
crossover wagon · 2018
Junpai CX65
A wagon-like crossover and the first model associated with the short-lived English marque Jumpal. It was launched near the end of Tianjin FAW’s manufacturing activity and was discontinued in 2019.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2019
Restructure the listed company with China Railway MaterialsM&ABackground
Tianjin FAW faced sustained losses, declining sales and the end of vehicle production.
Action taken
FAW Xiali disclosed a plan involving the transfer of approximately 697 million shares, or 43.73% of the pre-transaction share capital, to China Railway Materials without consideration.
Aftermath
The restructuring facilitated a backdoor-listing arrangement. The listed entity was renamed China Railway Materials in 2021 and no longer operated an automobile business.
Transferred shares. Approximately 697 million shares held by China First Automobile Co., Ltd. → Transferred without consideration to China Railway Materials (2019 restructuring announcement)
2015
Replace Xiali with JunpaiStrategyBackground
The aging Xiali portfolio was losing ground to newer Chinese manufacturers and changing consumer expectations.
Action taken
Tianjin FAW discontinued the Xiali brand and introduced Junpai as a newer passenger-vehicle marque.
Aftermath
Junpai added sedans and SUVs but did not restore the company’s former sales scale.
1997
Formalize the Xiali marqueStrategyBackground
Daihatsu-derived small cars had become the company’s main commercial products and were gaining broad use as inexpensive taxis.
Action taken
Tianjin FAW established Xiali as a distinct brand identity for its economy-car range.
Aftermath
Xiali became the company’s best-known marque and helped Tianjin FAW reach a leading position in China’s passenger-car market.
1983
Select Daihatsu as technology partnerStrategyBackground
Tianjin FAW needed modern small-car technology and manufacturing expertise to move beyond its early domestic designs.
Action taken
The company selected Daihatsu as a foreign partner and began localizing Hijet and Charade-related vehicles.
Aftermath
The partnership created the technical and product foundation for the successful Xiali small-car family.
Recent events
- 2021
Listed FAW Xiali entity renamed China Railway Materials[1]
M&A
The reorganized listed company adopted the China Railway Materials name and ceased operating as an automobile manufacturer.
- 2021
FAW Xiali renamed China Railway Materials[1]
M&A
The listed entity was renamed China Railway Materials after the restructuring and ceased to operate as an automobile manufacturer.
- 2019
FAW Xiali announces restructuring with China Railway Materials[1]
M&A
The listed automobile company disclosed a restructuring plan under which a major FAW-related shareholding would be transferred to China Railway Materials.
- 2019
Tianjin FAW production ends after prolonged decline[1]
Product generation
The company stopped producing vehicle models after years of falling sales and a sharp reduction in annual output.
- 2019
Xiali production ends[1]
Other · Product generation
Production at the Tianjin Xiali plant stopped, with annual output reported at approximately 1,186 vehicles.
- 2016
FAW Xiali reports continuing sales and profitability decline[1]
Other · Regulation
Reported sales had fallen from about 185,000 vehicles in 2012 to roughly 37,000 in 2016, while adjusted net profit remained negative and exchange authorities issued delisting-risk warnings after consecutive losses.
- 2015
Xiali marque replaced by Junpai[1]
Product launch
Tianjin FAW discontinued the long-running Xiali marque and introduced Junpai as its newer passenger-vehicle brand.
- 2015
Xiali brand discontinued and replaced by Junpai[1]
Product generation
Tianjin FAW ended the Xiali brand and introduced Junpai as its replacement marque as it attempted to modernize its product portfolio.
Sources5 sources
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