GWM plans 50,000-car Bulgaria plant, first in Europe

Great Wall Motor plans to begin assembling its Ora 5 compact SUV in Bulgaria in the first quarter of 2027, using a local manufacturing partner at a plant designed for annual capacity of up to 50,000 vehicles. The facility will be the Chinese automaker’s first European production base, though GWM has not specified which Ora 5 powertrain will be built there or disclosed the agreement’s financial terms. The move is part of a broader push to establish a stronger foothold in Europe, where tariffs on China-built electric vehicles have encouraged automakers to manufacture locally. GWM also plans to introduce at least 10 new or derivative models over the next two years and is drawing on its Munich research center to tailor products to European markets. The company has struggled to gain traction in the region, with European sales falling nearly 30% in 2025 to about 3,500 vehicles, and has said it aims to produce 300,000 vehicles in Europe by 2029.