355L and 380L black steel cold rolled plates produced by Chinese steelmaker Benxi Iron and Steel (Benxi Steel) have passed quality control tests carried out by Beijing-based Central Iron and Steel Research Institute and have also passed a wide range of tests carried out by major Chinese automotive manufacturer First Auto Works (FAW) and have thus received certification from FAW, according to Chinese media sources. FAW has an annual output of over 2.6 million units, accounting for 14 percent of domestic annual auto output.
In September 2011, seven grades of cold rolled plate produced by Benxi Steel received certification from FAW's technology center. In November 2011, Benxi Steel and FAW signed a technology agreement on utilization of bake-hardening high-strength plate and phosphorus-containing high-strength plate and cold stamping plate.