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GWM aims for European production in Bulgaria

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GWM aims for European production in Bulgaria

At the end of 2025, Great Wall Motor (GWM) evaluated various locations for its first European plant. Indications strongly suggested that the decision would likely be Spain or Hungary. However, the Chinese automotive giant just announced at its Tech Day in Milan that its European production its vehicles – such as the Ora 5 – are set to be located in Bulgaria.

GWM does not want to remain an import-only brand in Europe long term. The Chinese group aims to produce around 300,000 vehicles per year in European plants by 2029. A key driver of this strategy is the EU’s punitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports, which local production would let GWM avoid. GWM began evaluating European locations for its first plant in 2025. Contenders included Spain and Hungary.

GWM has now officially announced its first European plant will be in Bahovitsa, Bulgaria. The central northern village of Bahovitsa is located in Bulgaria’s Lovech Province, known for its automotive industry. GWM began establishing a presence at this site in 2012, with an assembly plant for semi-knocked-down (SKD) kits, becoming the first Chinese automaker to enter Europe. However, instead of expanding the facility, production stopped in 2016 due to the bankruptcy of its Bulgarian partner, Litex Motors. The factory buildings were subsequently taken over by the Bulgarian Automotive Industry (BAI).

This now-renovated plant will remain owned by BAI, but will be taken over by GWM from 2027, and BAI will act as an independent contract manufacturer producing the contractually agreed volumes.


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