Hongqi is set to make history as the first non-BYD brand to feature BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery and Megawatt Fast Charging technology. This development comes as the FAW-FinDreams battery project, a joint venture between FAW Group and BYD, enters stable mass production.
FAW-FinDreams Project Reaches Mass Production
According to a report by Jilin TV on August 15, the FAW-FinDreams new energy power battery project has officially entered a stable mass-production phase. Batteries produced at this facility are already being used in new energy vehicles from brands such as Hongqi and Audi.
Zhang Hongjun, Executive Deputy General Manager of FAW FinDreams New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., stated that the company is advancing the integration of BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery. He confirmed, “The venture has successfully secured a nomination for the core project of Hongqi’s next-generation pure electric platform.”
BYD’s Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging Expand Beyond BYD
Until now, BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery and Megawatt Fast Charging technology have only been available in BYD’s own vehicles. This marks the first time BYD is opening these advanced battery and charging technologies to an external brand.
Hongqi will be the first within FAW Group to adopt Blade Battery 2.0, signaling a significant step in technology sharing between major Chinese automakers.
Details of the FAW-FinDreams Joint Venture
The FAW-FinDreams project is a collaboration between FAW Group and BYD, with a total investment of $26.6B (~AUD 37.6B). The facility is being developed in three phases, each with a capacity of 15 GWh, for a total of 45 GWh.
The first phase, which involved an investment of $10.4B (~AUD 14.6B), began production in February 2024. The second phase is currently progressing through contract signing and groundbreaking. Once all phases are operational, the plant will be able to supply Blade Batteries for nearly 600,000 vehicles annually, with an estimated yearly output value of $29.6B (~AUD 41.7B).
FAW’s Broader Electrification Strategy
As China’s first passenger car manufacturer, FAW Group is adapting to the shift away from internal combustion engines by forming partnerships with leading battery makers. In addition to its joint ventures with BYD and CATL, FAW’s Hongqi E-QM5 model uses batteries from both suppliers, with battery-swap versions available.
FAW has also invested in Leapmotor, further diversifying its approach to new energy vehicles.
Why this matters
This collaboration marks a major milestone in the Chinese automotive industry, as BYD’s advanced battery and charging technologies become available to other brands for the first time. The move could accelerate the adoption of high-performance batteries and fast charging across a wider range of vehicles, benefiting both manufacturers and consumers.
With a large-scale facility capable of powering hundreds of thousands of vehicles annually, the partnership between FAW and BYD is set to play a significant role in China’s transition to new energy vehicles.
What this means for buyers
Buyers can expect upcoming Hongqi models to offer the latest in battery safety, efficiency, and rapid charging, previously exclusive to BYD vehicles. Those considering a new energy vehicle from FAW or Hongqi may soon have access to some of the most advanced battery technology available in the market.
Key Specs
- Total Investment: $26.6B (~AUD 37.6B)
- Facility Capacity: 45 GWh (three phases of 15 GWh each)
- First Phase Investment: $10.4B (~AUD 14.6B)
- Annual Output Value (Full Capacity): $29.6B (~AUD 41.7B)
- Annual Battery Supply: Nearly 600,000 vehicles
- Technologies Introduced: BYD Blade Battery 2.0, Megawatt Fast Charging
- Brands Powered: Hongqi, Audi
