Overview Great Wall Motor Company Limited (GWM, Chinese: 长城汽车; pinyin: Chángchéng Qìchē) is a Chinese automobile manufacturer headquartered in Baoding, Hebei, China. Named after the Great Wall of China, the company primarily produces sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks, as well as commercial trucks. It is one of China’s top ten automobile manufacturers, with 1.23 million vehicles sold globally in 2024.
| Website | gwm.com.cn (Chinese) gwm-global.com (global) |
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History
1984–2003: Establishment and Early Years Founded in 1984 as a small manufacturer partly owned by a local government in Hebei, GWM initially produced commercial vehicles. Wei Jianjun, the company’s current chairman, was appointed as director in 1990 and transformed GWM into a leading pickup truck manufacturer in China. The company introduced its first pickup truck, the Great Wall Deer, in 1996, based on the Toyota Hilux. Its success solidified GWM as a major player in the segment.
In 1998, the company was privatized and renamed Great Wall Motor Group Co. Ltd., with Wei Jianjun acquiring a 25% stake. GWM expanded rapidly, launching multiple pickup models and its first SUVs. In 2003, it became the first private Chinese automaker to go public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX).
2003–2018: Growth and Expansion GWM expanded globally in the early 2000s, exporting vehicles to the Middle East and Europe. The company launched the Haval CUV (Hover CUV) in 2006, which gained international popularity. GWM further diversified its portfolio, launching new models such as the Peri (Fiat Panda lookalike) and the Voleex series.
A turning point came in 2010 when GWM introduced the Haval H6, a compact SUV that became one of China’s best-selling SUVs. The Haval brand was spun off as an independent marque in 2013, focusing exclusively on SUVs. The company also introduced Wey (premium SUV brand) in 2017 and Ora (electric vehicle brand) in 2018.
2018–Present: Global Expansion and Electric Vehicles GWM increased its global presence, acquiring GM’s plant in Thailand (2020) and India (later canceled in 2022). It also formed a joint venture with BMW in 2019 to produce electric Mini vehicles in China.
In 2021, Tank, a luxury off-road SUV brand, was launched. In 2023, the company introduced the “One GWM” strategy, consolidating its brands into a master brand structure.
Operations and Manufacturing GWM operates 10 full-process vehicle plants in China and three overseas plants in Russia, Thailand, and Brazil. Additional CKD (complete knock-down) assembly facilities are present in Pakistan, Ecuador, and other locations.
Brands
- Haval – Mass-market SUV brand
- Ora – Electric vehicle brand
- Tank – Luxury off-road SUV brand
- Wey – Premium SUV brand
- GWM (Poer) – Pickup truck brand
Sales and Global Presence GWM vehicles are sold in over 60 countries, with key markets in Australia, Russia, South America, and Southeast Asia. In 2023, it exported 316,018 vehicles, and in 2024, exports increased to 453,141.
Controversies GWM has faced multiple accusations of copying foreign car designs, including the Great Wall Peri (Fiat Panda copy) and the Great Wall Hover (Isuzu Axiom copy). Legal disputes with Fiat and Nissan resulted in varied outcomes, with some models banned in certain markets.
Conclusion GWM has grown from a local manufacturer into a global automotive player, specializing in SUVs and pickups. With ongoing investments in electric vehicles and international expansion, the company is positioning itself as a major competitor in the global automotive industry.
