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Why Consider a FAW Generator?

FAW Group Corporation (“First Automobile Works”) is a Chinese state-owned industrial manufacturing entity headquartered in Changchun, Jilin, China. Its product range includes cars, buses, trucks, diesel engines, and auto parts. FAW became China’s first domestic automobile manufacturer, unveiling China’s first passenger car, the Hongqi, in 1958. WuXi Diesel Engine Works (also known as FAWDE), located in Wuxi, Jiangsu, is part of the FAW Group and has 4000 employees. FAWDE produces diesel engines for generator sets, water pumps, forklifts, farm equipment, and trucks. The company was formed in 1943 and became part of the FAW Group in 1992. They produce around 150,000 diesel engines annually.

Purchasing a FAW generator is a no risk proposition, as it is backed by one of the largest Chinese industrial entities with a global footprint. A range of units powered by FAW diesel engines is available from 16 to 375 kVa. China is home to approximately 1,39 billion people, which makes it the most populous country in the world. The cost of labour in China, while on the increase, is relatively low and Chinese workers are generally productive and hard working.

Yes, a FAW Generator Will Have Been Made in China 

A long-standing view exists that all products made in China are of really poor quality. There are many anecdotal tales that cement this misconception in the public’s mind. This, coupled with the perception that all Chinese-made goods are the product of “sweat shops” where workers are ruthlessly exploited, increases the reluctance of many in the West to buy Chinese-made products. Poor-quality horror stories are far more impactful and therefore higher profile in the media than those depicting quality Chinese products.

High-profile news stories, such as Mattel’s recall of one of their range of children’s toys for containing unacceptably high levels of lead paint is a case in point. The media creates a picture that does not necessarily reflect the reality of Chinese manufacturing capacity and capability. Nor is it consistent with the experience of the many satisfied owners of products sourced from China.

Chinese manufacturers are increasingly focused on producing high-value products, developing sector-leading brands, and using state-of-the-art technology. Although products from China may have been on the cheap and nasty side of the quality spectrum two decades ago, the Chinese manufacturing industry as a whole has made significant progress in recent decades. In line with this, the Chinese government has launched the “Made in China 2025” initiative aimed at transforming the nation into an efficient, innovative, and environmentally aware world manufacturing power by 2025.

Chinese mobile phone brands provide a good example of the progress that is being made. From a quiet debut on the global market a few years ago, manufacturers such as Huawei are beginning to challenge established brands like Apple and Samsung and are beginning to establish China’s reputation as a nation that values quality and product innovation. A FAW generator is the result of this philosophy. FAW engines rely on years of experience and are technologically advanced, reliable, products.

Although Chinese products are often extremely cost competitive, they have moved from a cheap (and low quality) by design model to one where volume, productivity, and efficiency provide the cost differential.

What Does a FAW Generator Offer? 

FAW produces engines that are technologically advanced, reliable, and backed by a globally recognized brand. Experience from manufacturing the FAW range of heavy trucks and commercial vehicles is carried over into the generator sector and allows the company a FAW generator of high quality at a competitive price point. FAW generators in the 13 kVA – 150 kVA size range are one of the most cost-effective offerings in the South African market.

There is a FAW generator suitable for home, business, or industrial use and these gensets are a good fit for the budget-conscious buyer looking for reliable standby or backup power. A FAW generator may be purchased for single- or three-phase applications and can be supplied with a super silent enclosure for sites where noise needs to be mitigated. The units come with comprehensive, bankable warrantees and the engines include high temperature, low oil, water, and fuel protection systems to help prevent engine damage.

Is it Worth Looking at Other Chinese Engines? 

Historically, Chinese engines have not been as good as Japanese or European engines for generators. They were usually mass-produced using poor quality components and lax quality control regimes. This is, however, not true of all Chinese engines. The Chinese now provide quality engines if one is prepared to pay for quality. In the past, if a unit was intended to carry significant load or run for extended periods or if it would power critical equipment, such as medical equipment, standard procedure was to specify a quality European-made engine even if the cost was substantially higher. Japanese manufacturers, such as Honda or Yamaha would typically be used for smaller-size units.

The rational being that even though these generators appeared to be considerably more expensive when their longevity and reliability were taken into account, they offered similar or superior value for money. The market in larger capacity machines has been dominated by European engine manufacturers, such as Perkins, Cummins, or Volvo.

Not all Chinese engine manufacturers are created equal. Products like those made by FAW generators are a “value for money” proposition without compromising on quality. While there are a number of poor-quality Chinese-made engines on offer, the price is usually a clear indication of what one would be getting. The old saying “if it is too good to be true, it is probably too good to be true,” springs to mind. If the price is unbelievably good, the generator probably will not be.

Who is Using FAW Generator Engines in their Gensets?

In the South African market, a number of large, reputable generator builders specify and support FAW engines as one of their product offerings. These are companies with good reputations in the industry that are fiercely protective of their reputations. The mere fact that they sell and support FAW-powered generators speaks volumes about the quality of the FAW product. If these reputable and knowledgeable generator suppliers are happy to sell you a FAW generator, you can be fairly confident that even though the capital cost is more attractive, the product is nevertheless a good and reliable one.

Choosing one of the reputable vendors with a good track record and a portfolio of successful installations is in any event the most prudent route to finding a cost-effective solution. These vendors will likely not stock or sell you a cheap no-name brand machine.