acf domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/ecg/ecgassociationdev/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121Automotive News Europe — 2026-04-21
Automotive Industry
China’s Great Wall Motor (GWM) plans to launch at least 10 new models in Europe over the next two years, as the automaker attempts a comeback after a previous attempt in the market was not successful.
GWM was one of the first Chinese car companies to launch in Europe, making a big entrance with a lineup that was heavy on electric vehicles at the 2021 Munich auto show. But it struggled to gain traction in the highly competitive market.
Now, as part of its European push, it will launch sales in 13 European markets over the next 12 months.
“We don’t want to be the loser in any market in the world,” GWM International President Parker Shi told reporters April 21 at the company’s technology center in Baoding, China. “We will come back and we will go with the right product.”
Chery’s brands, Leapmotor are growing sales faster
While more recent Chinese arrivals including BYD, Chery’s Jaecoo and Omoda brands and Leapmotor grew rapidly in Europe growth in 2025, GWM’s sales fell 25 percent in 2024 and almost 30 percent in 2025 to just 3,500 cars.
As vehicle sales have stalled in China, local automakers are racing to expand overseas in Europe and emerging markets.
As part of its fresh run at Europe, GWM will launch a broader mix of vehicles and powertrains — including hybrids and combustion-engine models, as well as EVs — starting with the Ora 5 in the first half of 2026. The Ora 5 is a small urban car that will be available in EV, gasoline and hybrid variants.
Later this year, the company plans to launch the Jolion Max SUV and the H7, an off-road model.
At present, GWM sells in nine European markets including Britain and Germany. European marketing director Thiemo Jahnke said the automaker will begin sales in Italy and Spain in June, followed by Poland in July — plus 10 additional markets over the next 12 months.
Europe is crucial to GWM’s ambitious target to double overseas sales to 1 million vehicles by the end of the decade.
Production planned in central or southern Europe
The company has said it aims to build a factory in Europe with an annual production capacity of 300,000 cars by 2029. GWM CEO Mu Feng said the automaker has yet to decide on a location, but it is looking at central and southern Europe.
Automotive analyst Felipe Munoz said GWM’s focus on different powertrains means the company has a stronger slate of offerings than it did during its first foray into Europe. But he said that some of the vehicles the company is talking about launching in Europe, including the large off-road Tank 300 SUV, will not be suitable for many car buyers there.
Industry experts have said that with a large number of Chinese rivals expanding into Europe, GWM will find it tougher to make headway on the continent. “There are already too many Chinese carmakers in Europe,” Munoz said. “They will find it hard to differentiate themselves.”