Finance
China's Great Wall Motor Seeks European Comeback With Launch of 10 New Cars
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 21, 2026
3 min readLast updated: April 21, 2026
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Great Wall Motor (GWM) is aiming for a European return with plans to launch at least 10 new models over the next two years, entering 13 markets and eyeing a European factory by 2029.
Great Wall Motor Plans to Launch 10 New Cars for European Market Comeback
Great Wall Motor's Strategy for European Market Re-entry
By Qiaoyi Li and Nick Carey
Background and Previous Challenges
BAODING, China, April 21 (Reuters) - China's Great Wall Motor (GWM) on Tuesday said it 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 splashy entrance with a lineup that was heavy on electric vehicles at the 2021 Munich car show. But it struggled to gain traction in the highly competitive market.
Upcoming Launches and Expansion Plans
Sales Rollout Across Europe
Now, as part of its European push, it will commence 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 at the company's technology center in Baoding, China. "We'll come back and we will go with the right product."
Recent Performance and Market Context
While more recent Chinese arrivals including BYD, Chery's Jaecoo and Omoda brands and Leapmotor experienced rapid European growth in 2025, GWM's sales fell 25.4% in 2024 and almost 30% 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.
Product Strategy and New Models
Broader Mix of Vehicles and Powertrains
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 as an EV, a petrol burner and a hybrid.
Later this year, the company plans to launch the Jolion Max SUV and the H7, an off-road model.
Geographical Expansion
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.
Long-term Goals and Industry Perspectives
Production Capacity and Factory Plans
Europe is crucial to GWM's ambitious target to double overseas sales to 1 million vehicles by the end of the decade.
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.
Expert Opinions and Market Challenges
Analyst Insights
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.
Competitive Landscape
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."
(Reporting By Qiaoyi Li and Nick Carey; Editing by David Dolan and Thomas Derpinghaus)
Key Takeaways
- •GWM will introduce a diverse lineup—including EVs (Ora 5), hybrids, and petrol models—in Europe starting mid‑2026, to broaden its appeal beyond its previous EV‑only approach.
- •The company plans to expand into 13 European markets within 12 months, including new launches in Italy, Spain (June), and Poland (July), as part of a push to double overseas sales to 1 million by decade’s end and build a 300,000‑unit Europe plant by 2029.
- •GWM enters a highly competitive European market where Chinese automakers’ share has surged (e.g., H1 2025 saw a record 5.1 % market share driven by BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda, Leapmotor, Xpeng), intensifying challenges for differentiation—but its broader powertrain strategy may offer an advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions about China's Great Wall Motor seeks European comeback with launch of 10 new cars
1How many new cars will Great Wall Motor launch in Europe?
Great Wall Motor plans to launch at least 10 new models in Europe over the next two years.
2Which European countries will GWM expand into?
GWM will expand sales to 13 European markets, including upcoming launches in Italy, Spain, and Poland, plus 10 additional markets in the next 12 months.
3What types of vehicles is GWM bringing to Europe?
GWM will offer a mix of electric vehicles, hybrids, and combustion-engine cars, starting with the Ora 5, Jolion Max SUV, and H7 off-road model.
4What are GWM's long-term goals in Europe?
GWM aims to double its overseas sales to 1 million vehicles by the end of the decade and build a European factory with a 300,000 annual car production capacity by 2029.
5Why did GWM initially struggle in the European market?
GWM struggled to gain traction due to strong competition and limited differentiation but is now returning with a broader product offering.