The groundbreaking ceremony for automaker FAW Group's new energy intelligent network vehicle innovation test center takes place in Changchun, on March 27. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Construction of the new energy intelligent networked vehicle innovation test center for automaker FAW Group -- which is pouring in 2.69 billion yuan ($379.84 million) into the project -- started in Changchun Automobile Economic and Technological Development Zone in Changchun, capital of Northeast China’s Jilin province on March 27, according to local reports.

The facility will be located in the zone’s Changchun international automobile city, which covers an area of 471 square kilometers.

The automobile city is Changchun’s blueprint for seeking high-quality and innovative growth. With the focus on auto and auto parts research and development, manufacturing and service, the city is expected to achieve total output value of exceeding 800 billion yuan in the auto sector by the end of 2025.

The Changchun Automobile Economic and Technological Development Zone boasts five automobile manufacturers including FAW-Hongqi, FAW-Jiefang, FAW-Volkswagen, FAW-Toyota, and FAW sedans, making it the core area for the auto sector in the city.

To date, the zone has attracted 158 projects valued at 159.7 billion yuan, among which 46 projects are worth more than 1 billion yuan each.

Thirty projects have started construction in the zone and 32 will start construction before the end of April, while a slew of projects will start construction within this year, according to zone officials.

They said that after the new projects reach design capacity, Changchun international automobile city will be able to manufacture 800,000 vehicles more than it can now, adding annual output value of over 200 billion yuan.

An artist's impression of the smart logistics park project for FAW Group, which is located in the Changchun Automobile Economic and Technological Development Zone. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An artist's impression of Hongqi town in the Changchun Automobile Economic and Technological Development Zone. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]