It is always a great satisfaction when you have the chance to actually see “on the road” one of your ideas,” says Italdesign’s Head of Design Filippo Perini. “Whether they’re supercar, mass produced car or, just like in this case, heavy trucks. For a designer, and the entire team who worked on the J7 project it will be a great moment when the trucks will arrive in Italdesign after such a long trip”.

The idea of travelling on the Silk Road backwards, that in ancient times was the commercial road between the Roman and Chinese Empires, besides demonstrating the quality and reliability of the J7 trucks, represents an ideal connection between the Chinese transport industry and Italy, where the story of automobile and car design were born.

FAW is China’s oldest vehicle manufacturer and was formed on 13 July 1956, under the guidance of the China's Central Committee and, with assistance from the former Soviet Union, construction of China's first automotive production base was completed. Known at that time as First Automotive Works (FAW) and now as First Automotive Group Corporation, this huge car and truck manufacturer is headquartered in Changchun.

In the late 1950's, FAW quickly responded to market demand and commenced automotive and bus production, soon making FAW the leading producer of buses and tourist coaches in China and passed the 1-million-unit annual sales figure in 2005.

FAW has ambitions to sell its seventh-generation J7 heavy truck, which is sold under its Jiefang brand, into international markets. The truck was officially launched into production on 18 April.