Bulgaria is on the verge of becoming a production hub for Chinese electric vehicles on the Old Continent. We are talking about the ORA brand - at this stage the all-electric brand of the Chinese giant GWM (Great Wall Motor), which is firmly determined to localize its production on the Old Continent. And where else, if not in the well-known plant in Bahovitsa, near Lovech, which is ready to reopen.
This strategic step is dictated both by GWM's desire to expand its global presence and by the pragmatic need to circumvent the European Union's potentially high import duties on electric vehicles coming from China. But even if trade barriers fall, the company's philosophy remains unshakable: investments and local production all over the world.
So, which will be the first electric messengers to roll off the production line in Bulgaria? All eyes are on the ORA models, elegant and modern electric cars. Subsequently, other current and future additions to the GWM range will be assembled on Bulgarian soil to satisfy the growing appetite of European consumers. And the restart will happen very soon.
During the presentation of the brand's new models in our country, which took place late last night, representatives of the GWM brand told our team that production at the plant near the village of Bahovitsa will start from the middle of next year. So, in about seven months, car production will start again in our country.
And something else that is no less interesting - these cars share a platform and drivetrain with the electric Mini Cooper and Mini Aceman, thanks to the 50% Spotlight joint venture between GWM and BMW Group. This speaks in itself for the serious technological ambitions and quality that the Chinese brand brings to our country.
In terms of timeline, the plan is to start serial production in mid-2026, in June. This is good news for the local economy, because it will create new jobs and finally position our country on the map of modern automotive manufacturing.
The plant, which years ago produced the Great Wall Steed and Haval H6 pickup trucks, is now being re-equipped to meet the requirements of the electric era. It seems that GWM is ready to step on the gas in Europe, and Bulgaria is one of the countries chosen as its springboard.