Great Wall Motor to begin European production in Bulgaria

Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) has announced plans to establish its first European production base in Bulgaria. Through a partnership with Bulgaria Automotive Industry (BAI), the company intends to begin mass assembly of the Ora 5 compact crossover at the Bahovitsa plant near Lovech in the first quarter of 2027. The facility has an annual production capacity of 50,000 vehicles.

This strategic shift aims to mitigate the impact of European Union tariffs, which include a standard 10% import duty and an additional 20.7% surcharge on Chinese-made electric vehicles. By localizing production, GWM seeks to improve price competitiveness and expand its market share, targeting 60,000 European sales by 2027 after a decline in 2025.

In addition to the Bulgarian manufacturing initiative, GWM is expanding its European product lineup. The company recently launched the H7 SUV in several markets, featuring various hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. GWM is also investing heavily in regional research and development, utilizing its center in Munich, Germany, to tailor vehicle DNA to European consumer needs and driving conditions.