Great Wall Motor to Resume Car Production at Lovech Plant

Marcus Liu – Business Editor

Great Wall Motor Restarts Bulgarian Plant Production in 2027

Great Wall Motor will resume car manufacturing at its facility in Bahovitsa near Lovech in 2027, shifting away from past assembly models toward deeper local manufacturing. Chief Technology Officer Nicole Wu confirmed the plans during a presentation in Milan, as reported by Automedia. The factory originally opened in 2012 as Europe’s first Chinese automotive plant before halting operations in January 2016 and entering insolvency proceedings in March 2017. Following an investment announcement by the company in May 2009 regarding the Litex Motors facility, production of the first test series vehicle—the Great Wall Voleex C10—took place in 2011. Northwest Europe manager Phil Li and Southeast Europe manager Charles Zhao confirmed that the company is not considering other manufacturing destinations on European soil. GWM announced plans to produce 300,000 vehicles in Europe by 2029, with a long-term goal of building integrated industrial parks for cars and components across the continent, while launching at least ten new models and derivatives over the next two years.

Production Expansion and Model Lineup in Lovech

The manufacturing facility will launch with the electric Ora 5 SUV before expanding to include hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, alongside the newly introduced Haval H7. The plant will also evaluate the future production of the Haval Jolion Max. The facility is designed to support an annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles, backing the company’s regional targets of delivering over 60,000 units across Europe next year. The European version of the Haval H7 measures 4.80 meters in length, 1.95 meters in width, and has a 2.738-meter wheelbase. Its base configuration features a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine delivering 215 horsepower (158 kW) and 380 Nm of torque, paired with all-wheel drive and a 9-speed automatic transmission developed by subsidiary Finest, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h. The model lineup also includes a self-charging hybrid and a flagship plug-in hybrid using the Hi4 architecture, which combines a 1.5-liter turbo-petrol engine with two electric motors to generate 435 horsepower. Pricing for European markets starts at 41,490 euros for the standard gasoline version, while the range-topping plug-in hybrid reaches 44,990 euros.

Localizing Component Manufacturing and Supply Chains

Unlike previous operations that relied heavily on imported pre-assembled kits, Great Wall Motor intends to integrate regional component suppliers from the start. Nicole Wu explained to Automedia that subsidiary firms such as transmission maker Finest and battery producer Svolt will explore local manufacturing opportunities in Bulgaria. While the country currently hosts numerous tier-two and tier-three automotive suppliers, the automaker plans to introduce tier-one systems for engines, transmissions, controllers, and interior components directly into the domestic supply chain. Svolt ranks among the top 10 largest global battery manufacturers, supplying GWM, Geely, Stellantis, and BMW for electric MINI vehicles.

European Tariffs and Regional Market Strategy

The decision to establish a dedicated European manufacturing hub serves as a direct response to trade barriers imposed by the European Union. Imported electric vehicles from China face a 20.7% anti-subsidy duty on top of the standard 10% import tariff. By building vehicles inside Bulgaria, Great Wall Motor aims to bypass these added costs while targeting a 3% to 5% European market share by the end of the decade, countering a recent 30% sales drop in the region during 2025, during which sales fell to 3,500 vehicles while competitors like BYD, Chery, and Leapmotor experienced rapid growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will manufacturing officially begin at the Lovech plant?

Production is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2027, beginning with the fully electric Ora 5 model before introducing hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.

What is the production capacity of the revived Bulgarian facility?

The plant in Bahovitsa near Lovech is planned with an annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles to support regional distribution across Europe.

Which specific models are slated for production in Bulgaria?

The production schedule includes the Ora 5, the new Haval H7 SUV, and potentially the Haval Jolion Max crossover.

How do EU tariffs influence this manufacturing decision?

The European Union applies a 20.7% anti-subsidy duty on top of a 10% standard tariff for Chinese electric vehicle imports, making local production in Bulgaria a strategic way to avoid these added costs.

Financial Details and Specific Version Allocations

The company has not disclosed the financial details of the manufacturing agreement with its long-term local partner, Bulgarian Automobile Industry, nor has it specified which exact powertrain versions of the Ora 5 will be built in Bulgaria.