GWM opens plant in Brazil – but also builds diesel models
According to the latest information, the factory can produce vehicles with diesel, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. When GWM first presented the plans in 2023, it promised a pure NEV plant for EVs and PHEVs. Now, the first models for Iracemápolis include the three ICE vehicles Haval H9, Poer P30 and Haval H6. The H9 is a seven-seat diesel SUV, the H6 a compact SUV, and the Poer P30 a diesel pickup.
The site itself is a former Daimler factory in Iracemápolis in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, acquired by GWM in 2021. Back in 2023, the company still promised an annual capacity of 100,000 vehicles and 2,000 direct jobs, with operations to begin in May 2024. By December 2024, the launch had already been delayed to mid-2025, while the annual output was reduced to an initial 20,000 vehicles and later 50,000 units. The number of direct jobs has now been halved to 1,000.
GWM stresses that the Brazilian plant is the company’s third full-scale vehicle production site abroad. It is set to supply not only Brazil but the entire Latin American market and act “as key hub linking Europe, Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.” Brazilian President Lula also attended the inauguration.
Since entering the Brazilian market in 2021, GWM has reached annual sales of 29,000 vehicles in just three years, ranking 14th in the market. In the first half of this year alone, the company sold more than 15,700 vehicles in Brazil, up 19.8% year-on-year – 17 percentage points above the industry average – underscoring its confidence and determination to expand abroad and compete globally.
This article was initially published by Cora Werwitzke for electrive’s German edition.
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