Great Wall Motor plans to begin production at a new base in Lovech, Bulgaria, in the first quarter of 2027, extending its European operations from vehicle sales into local manufacturing. The Chinese automaker is working with Bulgarian Automotive Industry on the project, according to a company statement. Upgrades to the facility’s production lines are expected to finish by the end of 2026, preparing it to build new energy vehicles. GWM has set planned annual capacity at 50,000 vehicles, with the Ora 5 named as the first model for the site.
The base is intended to connect with GWM’s existing European research, development and sales operations. The company says it will support distribution in markets including Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, while helping localize its supply chain. GWM also plans to bring at least 10 new models and variants to Europe over the next two years. It has not provided a timeline for a proposed European industrial park combining vehicle and component production.
GWM established a European R&D center in Munich in 2021. Its European team has conducted road tests and user research for the Ora 5 and H7, with adjustments to areas including chassis, steering, powertrain and seats. The Bulgarian project follows earlier reports that GWM was evaluating European factory locations and targeting 300,000 vehicles of annual production in Europe by 2029; the company has not clarified how the new base relates to that target. Its Brazilian plant, which began operating in August 2025, also has planned annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles.