GWM to Produce ORA 5 in Bulgaria Starting 2027
Written with artificial intelligence.
Great Wall Motor (GWM) has announced plans to manufacture the ORA 5 SUV in Bulgaria, beginning in early 2027. This facility will have an annual production capacity of 50,000 vehicles and will help the model avoid EU tariffs on electric vehicles from China.
GWM's European Manufacturing Plans
Great Wall Motor (GWM) is set to produce its ORA 5 SUV in Bulgaria, with production slated to start in early 2027. The plant, located in Bahovitsa, approximately 150 km from Sofia, will have the capacity to manufacture around 50,000 vehicles annually.
The ORA 5 will be available in multiple configurations, including a conventional gasoline engine, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and a fully electric version (BEV). Notably, the electric variant will benefit from being manufactured in Europe, thus avoiding the EU tariffs currently imposed on electric vehicles imported from China.
Collaboration with Local Industry
GWM will partner with Bulgaria Automotive Industry to operate the plant, ensuring that a significant portion of the manufacturing process qualifies as 'Made in Europe.' This is particularly relevant as GWM's BEVs currently face a 20.7% tariff in addition to the standard 10% tax on imported vehicles across the EU.
Since 2021, GWM has maintained a research and development center in Munich, focusing on vehicle validation and compliance with European regulations. Despite being a significant player in China, GWM's presence in Europe has been minimal, with only 3,500 vehicles sold last year.
Production Strategy
GWM's approach will involve starting with semi-knocked down (SKD) assembly rather than fully built units imported from China. This strategy will include utilizing locally sourced components right from the outset. The company aims to capture between 3% and 5% of the European market by 2030, with plans to ramp up production significantly by 2029.
This marks GWM's second attempt at manufacturing in Bulgaria, following a previous partnership with Litex Motors that lasted from 2012 to 2016. The current landscape for Chinese automotive manufacturers in Europe has changed dramatically, with companies like BYD and Geely making significant inroads.