Great Wall Motor to launch European production in Bulgaria

Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) plans to establish its first European production base in Bulgaria. Through a partnership with Litex Motors, the company intends to begin manufacturing the Ora 5 compact SUV in the first quarter of next year. The Bulgarian plant is expected to have an annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles.

This expansion is part of a broader strategy to strengthen GWM's presence in Europe and mitigate the impact of EU countervailing duties on Chinese electric vehicles. GWM aims to launch at least ten new models in the European market over the next two years, including various versions of the Ora 5, Haval, and Tank series. The company has set an ambitious goal to produce 300,000 vehicles in Europe by the end of 2029 and intends to establish integrated industrial parks for vehicle and component production.

In terms of sales targets, GWM seeks to grow its European volume from 2,335 units in early 2026 to 60,000 units by 2027. The company's expansion plans also include potential growth in the Greek market through an independent importer.