Great Wall Motor (GWM) has officially opened its new factory in Brazil, marking the company’s third full-fledged vehicle manufacturing center outside of China. This move follows in the footsteps of fellow Chinese automaker BYD, who recently began localized production in Brazil as well.
The factory, located in Iracemápolis, São Paulo, commenced production on August 15th with the Brazilian President in attendance. The first vehicle to roll off the production line was a Haval H6 GT, which was personally signed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
This new facility, which has an annual production capacity of 50,000 vehicles, was converted from a Daimler plant that GWM acquired in 2021. Initially, the factory will produce models such as the Haval H6 series, Haval H9, and the 2.4T Poer.
GWM’s Brazil plant is strategically positioned to serve the Latin American region and help reduce delivery times. This facility joins the company’s other overseas manufacturing centers in Tula, Russia, which began production in 2019, and Rayong, Thailand, which started production in 2021.
In addition to these full-process vehicle manufacturing bases, GWM also operates factories in Ecuador, Pakistan, and other locations that produce vehicles using the KD (Knocked Down) model.
The Brazilian factory covers a total area of 1.2 million square meters, with a building area of 94,000 square meters, housing welding, painting, and assembly workshops.
GWM has experienced strong sales growth in Brazil, with 15,700 vehicles sold in the first half of this year, representing a 19.8 percent year-on-year increase. The company’s global reach extends to over 1,400 overseas sales channels, with products available in more than 170 countries and regions, and cumulative sales exceeding 2 million units.
In January-July, GWM sold 238,746 vehicles overseas, a figure similar to the same period last year. This launch of the Brazil factory follows BYD’s recent opening of a passenger vehicle plant in the country, signaling a growing presence of Chinese automakers in the South American market.
The establishment of GWM’s Brazil manufacturing center underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and meeting the demand for its vehicles in key markets around the world. With a focus on quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, GWM is poised to make a significant impact in the automotive industry on a global scale.
