Shanghai (Gasgoo)- In the early hours of August 16 (Beijing time), Great Wall Motor ("GWM") officially launched operations at its new plant in Brazil, according to a post on GWM's WeChat account.
The milestone marks a significant advance in the automaker's globalization drive across Latin America, while also standing as a model of China's automotive industry moving upmarket in overseas markets. It highlights the deepening integration of the Chinese and Brazilian automotive supply chains.
The facility, located in Iracemápolis, São Paulo, was acquired from Daimler Group and has been upgraded into an advanced smart manufacturing base. As GWM's third full-process vehicle production hub outside China, the plant is positioned as a critical bridge linking its operations in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
According to GWM President Mu Feng, the Brazilian plant will serve as the company's strategic anchor in Latin America, enabling it to better serve markets such as Mexico, Argentina, and Chile by shortening delivery times and strengthening localized services.
Covering 1.2 million square meters with 94,000 square meters of floorage, the plant houses welding, painting (including robotic applications), and final assembly workshops, supported by comprehensive utilities and logistics systems. Designed for an annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles, the factory will initially produce core models including the HAVAL H6, HAVAL H9, and the 2.4T Great Wall POER.
Situated in São Paulo, Brazil's industrial heartland, the plant benefits from strong transport links, a well-established supplier base, and a mature "four-hour logistics circle," all of which support efficient operations.
The inauguration goes beyond simply adding an overseas facility—it represents a pivotal step in GWM's "ecosystem globalization" model. Since first venturing abroad in 1997, the company has evolved from a pure exporter into a global operator spanning research, production, supply, sales, and after-sales services.
Today, GWM has built a network of over 1,400 overseas sales outlets, with products sold in more than 170 markets and cumulative exports exceeding two million units. Beyond its three full-process overseas plants, the company also operates multiple KD assembly facilities in countries including Ecuador and Pakistan.
