China’s Great Wall Motor (GWM) will begin manufacturing its Ora 5 compact SUV in Bulgaria in the first quarter of 2027 under an agreement with a local partner. The facility, with a planned annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles, will mark the automaker’s first manufacturing base in Europe. The company has not disclosed the financial details of the agreement.
The move comes as Chinese automakers seek to expand their European presence and reduce exposure to trade barriers. GWM’s electric vehicles imported from China face a 20.7% European Union anti-subsidy duty in addition to the bloc’s standard 10% car import tariff. The company offers the Ora 5 in electric, hybrid and petrol versions but has yet to confirm which variant will be produced in Bulgaria. GWM Chief Technology Officer Nicole Wu said the company aims to become part of Europe rather than simply sell vehicles in the region.
GWM is planning a broader European comeback, with at least ten new and derivative models expected over the next two years. The automaker aims to manufacture 300,000 vehicles in Europe by 2029 and capture a 3% to 5% share of the European market by 2030. However, it faces a challenging road ahead, as its European sales fell nearly 30% in 2025 to around 3,500 vehicles, while competitors such as BYD, Chery and Leapmotor have expanded rapidly across the region.
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