BYD, MG, Nio, Geely, XPeng : we can no longer assume that Chinese car manufacturers have made their grand arrival in Europe in recent months. But not everyone is in the same boat. Because they are hiding behind these sometimes harmless traces branched industrial groups, state-owned enterprises or “outsiders” who took off on their own. Thus, MG belongs to the Chinese state-owned group SAIC (China’s first automobile group), BYD is the world’s leading manufacturer of batteries for electric vehicles, and Geely bought several European brands (Volvo, Lotus, Smart) and launched new ones such as Lynk&Co and Zeekr. We also note Aiways, Li Auto and Sereswhich will soon reach us, but are much more confidential.
Great Wall, 4d independent developer
Among other heavyweights of the Chinese automobile industry are Great wall (an obvious reference to the Great Wall of China, Great Wall of China in English). This group the Chinese leader of SUVs and all-wheel drives, in which it specializes since 1996 and the appearance of its first models: Deer and Safe, at that time simple copies of Toyota Hilux and 4Runner. But times have changed a lot since then!
The brand took 9th placed in the TOP-10 largest Chinese car manufacturers : a good score for an independent manufacturer not connected to the state (it was placed behind BYD, Chery and Geely, also private). The group sells models with designs and technologies that are now completely “own” and not modeled after foreign models. It distributes its models worldwide under several brands: GWM (for GreatWall Motors), ORA, Wey and Tankamong others.
Simplified assortment for Europe
The group announced its arrival in Europe a long time ago, a little late compared to its competitors. She presented several concepts in recent years under the ORA and Wey brands, all under fancy names (Funky Cat, Lightning Cat, Coffee 01, Coffee 02…). Finally, it looks like GreatWall listened to reason and simplified/improved the names of its future models. There is no question of distributing them under several brands: only GWM will be offered. Fact, ORA and Wey become ranges within GWM and not brands in their own right. Each will offer two models: GWM ORA 03 (electric city car), Art GWM ORA 07 (electric sedan), v GWM Wey 03 and GWM Wey 05, two electric family SUVs. They will arrive gradually from January 2024, first to the United Kingdom and then to Germany.
Source: Auto Plus
Robert is an experienced journalist who has been covering the automobile industry for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry and is known for his thorough and in-depth reporting.