GWM strengthens its commitment to Europe: local production from 2027, R&D in Munich and at least ten new models in two years
29-10-2026 20:51 - MARKET NEWS
At the GWM Tech Day in Milan the carmaker presents the European launch of the GWM H7, tuned on the continent's roads, and announces its first production in Europe: the GWM ORA 5 will be built in Bulgaria
Agreement with Bulgarian Automotive Industry: ORA 5 to be built in Europe from Q1 2027, with a planned capacity of 50,000 units a year
The Munich R&D Centre defines products from day one: more than 100,000 km of road testing in Europe for the ORA 5 and H7
GWM H7 on sale in Italy from €37,000, bringing Hi4 hybrid all-wheel drive to Europe for the first time
GWM (Great Wall Motor) chose Milan for the European launch of the GWM H7 and to set out how it intends to grow on the continent: products developed in Europe, local production and at least ten new and derivative models over the next two years. The main announcement concerns manufacturing: together with Bulgarian Automotive Industry (BAI), GWM will build its first European-made model, the ORA 5, in Bulgaria, with a planned capacity of 50,000 units a year and production starting in the first quarter of 2027.
From export to local production. For GWM, which shipped its first vehicles to Europe in 2006, this means building close to demand rather than importing. Looking ahead, the group plans integrated industrial parks in Europe for vehicles and components, expanding step by step with the line-up. Commercially, it operates subsidiaries in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands and is preparing to enter France and further markets.
Products defined in Europe. The Munich R&D Centre, opened in 2021, works on local demand research, regulatory compliance and validation, and contributes to decisions from the start of every project. For the ORA 5 and H7, European teams completed more than 100,000 km of road testing and thousands of hours of customer research, with targeted work on chassis, steering, powertrain and seats. Behind them are more than 28,000 R&D staff and, according to the company, annual R&D investment of over €1.3 billion.
"Localisation is not about making products fit the market; it is about building market needs into the DNA of our products. We don't just want to sell cars to Europe: we want to become part of Europe."
Nicole Wu, Chief Technology Officer of GWM
GWM H7, the first proving ground. The 4.68-metre SUV was calibrated on the German Autobahn, the Stelvio Pass and Austria's Grossglockner, and brings Hi4 hybrid all-wheel drive to Europe for the first time. In Italy it has been on sale since October with four powertrains — 2.0 turbo petrol AWD, Hybrid Hi2, Plug-in Hi2 and Plug-in Hi4 — priced from €37,000 to €46,000. The Plug-in Hi4 delivers 320 kW (435 hp) and 670 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and covers 130 km on electric power (WLTP). Warranty: 7 years or 150,000 km.
"A vehicle that performs well in China does not automatically meet every expectation in Europe. Developing for Europe means understanding how people actually drive here, from German motorways to Italian mountain roads.”
Thomas Schemera, EU Product General Manager of GWM
A line-up for European needs. The new models will cover combustion, HEV, PHEVand BEV: the ORA 5 family will grow to include SUV, hatchback and estate versions, while alongside the H7 and the P500 pickup, the TANK 300 off-roader and the WEY G9 MPV cover work, leisure and premium travel.
Agreement with Bulgarian Automotive Industry: ORA 5 to be built in Europe from Q1 2027, with a planned capacity of 50,000 units a year
The Munich R&D Centre defines products from day one: more than 100,000 km of road testing in Europe for the ORA 5 and H7
GWM H7 on sale in Italy from €37,000, bringing Hi4 hybrid all-wheel drive to Europe for the first time
GWM (Great Wall Motor) chose Milan for the European launch of the GWM H7 and to set out how it intends to grow on the continent: products developed in Europe, local production and at least ten new and derivative models over the next two years. The main announcement concerns manufacturing: together with Bulgarian Automotive Industry (BAI), GWM will build its first European-made model, the ORA 5, in Bulgaria, with a planned capacity of 50,000 units a year and production starting in the first quarter of 2027.
From export to local production. For GWM, which shipped its first vehicles to Europe in 2006, this means building close to demand rather than importing. Looking ahead, the group plans integrated industrial parks in Europe for vehicles and components, expanding step by step with the line-up. Commercially, it operates subsidiaries in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands and is preparing to enter France and further markets.
Products defined in Europe. The Munich R&D Centre, opened in 2021, works on local demand research, regulatory compliance and validation, and contributes to decisions from the start of every project. For the ORA 5 and H7, European teams completed more than 100,000 km of road testing and thousands of hours of customer research, with targeted work on chassis, steering, powertrain and seats. Behind them are more than 28,000 R&D staff and, according to the company, annual R&D investment of over €1.3 billion.
"Localisation is not about making products fit the market; it is about building market needs into the DNA of our products. We don't just want to sell cars to Europe: we want to become part of Europe."
Nicole Wu, Chief Technology Officer of GWM
GWM H7, the first proving ground. The 4.68-metre SUV was calibrated on the German Autobahn, the Stelvio Pass and Austria's Grossglockner, and brings Hi4 hybrid all-wheel drive to Europe for the first time. In Italy it has been on sale since October with four powertrains — 2.0 turbo petrol AWD, Hybrid Hi2, Plug-in Hi2 and Plug-in Hi4 — priced from €37,000 to €46,000. The Plug-in Hi4 delivers 320 kW (435 hp) and 670 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and covers 130 km on electric power (WLTP). Warranty: 7 years or 150,000 km.
"A vehicle that performs well in China does not automatically meet every expectation in Europe. Developing for Europe means understanding how people actually drive here, from German motorways to Italian mountain roads.”
Thomas Schemera, EU Product General Manager of GWM
A line-up for European needs. The new models will cover combustion, HEV, PHEVand BEV: the ORA 5 family will grow to include SUV, hatchback and estate versions, while alongside the H7 and the P500 pickup, the TANK 300 off-roader and the WEY G9 MPV cover work, leisure and premium travel.
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