Inventing a new technology is innovation, and a new method is found to be innovation. In the existing technology platform, the integration is getting higher and higher. It is also an innovation. Shaanxi Fast Automotive Drive Group takes the introduction, digestion, absorption, and innovation of technological routes. It has grown from a company in the Qinling mountain valley 40 years ago to today’s world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of heavy-duty transmissions – with a global market share. 55% of internationally renowned high-tech brand companies firmly occupy the commanding heights of heavy-duty transmissions, a key component of the heavy-duty automotive industry.
In the domestic heavy-duty truck manufacturing industry, more than 10 well-known manufacturers such as FAW, Dongfeng, China National Heavy Duty Truck, and Beiqi Foton compete fiercely with their respective strengths. But the "heart" of the cars they produce comes from the same supplier, the Fast Group. In China, Fast Heavy Duty Transmission has accounted for 86% of the domestic market share.
Fast's powerful integrated innovation capability stems from the selection of a high-profile technology platform more than 20 years ago—the introduction of Eaton’s dual countershaft transmission manufacturing technology. Compared with the single-shaft transmission technology commonly used in China, the dual-shaft technology is more suitable for China's national conditions in terms of comprehensive road conditions, loads, and transport capabilities. As the only company dominated by double countershaft transmissions, Fast's technological platform advantage has been prosperous to the present and has promoted the upgrading of mainstream transmission products in China's heavy-duty industry.
However, the Fast people deeply understand that “high-tech can be bought with money, but the ability for continuous innovation cannot be bought. Therefore, in the process of digesting and absorbing high-tech abroad, the company’s own system innovation ability and innovation culture are cultivated. It is an inevitable choice for traditional enterprises to enhance their technological competitiveness.†“The introduction of the American Eaton transmission technology in 1985 was the first time we introduced advanced foreign technology systematically, and it was also the last time,†said Li Dakai, Chairman of the Fast Group.
On the basis of the introduction of foreign advanced technology, the Fast people insist on the continuous advancement of the technology of “introduction, digestion, absorption, and innovationâ€. According to statistics, in recent years, the total amount of technology and research and development funds invested by the Fast Group has exceeded 1 billion yuan. In 2006, Fast Group and Jilin University and Shaanxi Automobile Group jointly established a national gear research institute. The “Heavy-duty Automatic Transmission†project was included in the national 863 plan; “In the past, we have also hoped to further obtain the joint venture. Foreign high-tech, but later practice proved difficult.†Therefore, the Fast Group has high-tech talent echelon as the top priority of the company. Since 2002, Fast has hired more than 1,000 undergraduates to enter the factory. 80% of them are placed in the production line as workers. The "college blue-collars" become a fast-skilled, knowledge-based workforce and innovative echelon cultivation. The "Landscape". In recent years, the "10,000-thousand-thousand-thousand-dollar" innovation activity carried out by Fast is another bright spot for the construction of corporate innovation culture. During the event, only the toothed joint workshop received 24 innovations reported by employees. Ten R&D personnel and skilled workers who have made outstanding contributions to the development of new products received a reward of 750,000 yuan.
In the past three years, Fast has introduced more than 40 types of heavy-duty transmissions with completely independent intellectual property rights. More than half of the new products have obtained national invention patents, and they have achieved full coverage in the area of ​​5-16 transmissions and exported to the United States. Australia, more than a dozen countries and regions. Among them, Fast 12-speed and 16-speed transmissions with completely independent intellectual property rights have exceeded the threshold of 1,000 units.
Today, in the field of heavy-duty transmission at home and abroad, "FAST" is not only a concept of a product brand, but also a symbol of a concentrated high-tech innovation culture. In response to the development direction of low-emission, low-speed, and low fuel consumption of heavy trucks in the future, Fast Group plans ahead and researches and develops. At present, Fast 12-speed, 16-speed double countershaft transmission technology not only fully meets the market requirements, but also has production and sales volume. Break through 50,000 units. Last year, in addition to meeting the needs of the OEM's entire vehicle, only the direct transmission of the Faith transmission by the user reached tens of thousands.
View related topics: Fast: Heavy-duty transmission production and sales in the world