Great Wall Motor to build 5 assembly plants overseas

Shanghai August 18 (Gasgoo.com) Great Wall Motor is planning to set up totally five assembly plants in Philippines, Senegal, Bulgaria, Venezuela and Malaysia in three years, with a combined annual production capacity of more than 100,000 vehicles, media reported Wednesday.

Of all the five plants to be built, the one in Senegal will roll off its first Great Wall vehicle on September 30 this year while the assembly plant in Philippines will be put into operation before the end of the year.

The Chinese independent carmaker has so far put up assembly plants in Russia, Indonesia, Iran, Vietnam and Egypt through cooperation with its local partners, making it one of the largest vehicle exporters in China.

It is reported that Great Wall's Senegalese and Philippine assembly plants, both built with its local partners, each has an annual capacity of over 10,000 vehicles. The company's Hover SUVs and Fengjun pickups are presently being made in the plants.

Great Wall exported about 30,000 vehicles in the first half of 2010, up 51% from a year earlier, with a 66% increase in export amount thanks to the recovering global economy and the company's constant efforts in expanding overseas production and improving marketing network.

Great Wall has been gradually moving out of its home market with each successful launch of its products in the global market. This year, sales of Great Wall Hover 2.4L($18,500) in Austria has for the first time exceeded Kia Sportage ($18,500) and Hyundai Tucson ($17,300), breaking into the top 5 list with a monthly sales record of 300 units.

Great Wall has also reached cooperation intentions with its local partners in South Africa, Brazil, Thailand, Turkey and other countries on establishing production bases.