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Great Wall Motor eyes plant options in South Africa
Reuters· 2026-03-18 18:09
Core Viewpoint - Great Wall Motor (GWM) is exploring options for establishing a manufacturing presence in South Africa, including potential partnerships with other automakers like Mercedes-Benz and Nissan, or acquiring an existing plant [1][2][3]. Group 1: Manufacturing Strategy - GWM is considering sharing a manufacturing facility or acquiring an existing plant in South Africa, as building a new plant would take considerable time [3]. - Discussions have been held with Mercedes-Benz and Nissan regarding potential plant options, indicating GWM's proactive approach to local production [2][6]. - The company plans to engage with the South African government during an upcoming auto show to further discuss local production strategies [3]. Group 2: Product Development - GWM has launched a new plug-in hybrid variant of its Haval H6, aiming to capture a growing market segment focused on hybrid and electric vehicles [7]. - The company is assessing which vehicle model to produce locally, with a focus on a new global product codenamed EC15, which is believed to offer better localization and export opportunities to Europe [4]. Group 3: Market Position - GWM currently holds a 5% market share in South Africa and ranks sixth in vehicle sales, indicating a competitive position in the local automotive market [7].