Great Wall Motor officially announced today that its Brazil factory production line is fully operational, with vehicle #001 - the Haval H6 GT - officially rolling off the production line. The company stated this marks a new starting point for Great Wall Motor's localized smart manufacturing in Brazil and represents a new milestone for Chinese automakers' high-quality overseas expansion.

The first pre-production vehicle models assembled at the factory are the Haval H6 gasoline and hybrid versions SUV, while the Haval H9 and Poer pickup trucks are scheduled for production in the next phase. The entire factory employs 530 people, with 145 in administrative or office positions. The workforce is expected to grow to 1,000 by year-end, when the factory will operate on a two-shift system.

Initial production capacity stands at 30,000 vehicles annually, with expectations to reach 50,000 units by 2028. According to the introduction, Great Wall Motor's Brazil factory serves as the company's third-largest overseas complete vehicle manufacturing center, using Brazil as a strategic pivot to radiate throughout Latin America and connect globally.

This factory was originally owned by Mercedes-Benz, but Mercedes ceased vehicle production in Brazil in 2021. Great Wall acquired the facility in 2023, and approximately 10% of current employees come from the former Mercedes factory.

Great Wall Motor Chairman Wei Jianjun announced on Weibo yesterday morning that the Great Wall Motor Brazil factory officially opened at dawn on August 16th Beijing time, with Brazilian President Lula personally attending the ceremony. Wei Jianjun stated that the company will bring Hi4 hybrid four-wheel-drive technology to Latin America.

Additionally, Great Wall Motor first ventured overseas in 1997, and over the past 28 years has sold more than 2 million vehicles abroad, with over 15 million users worldwide.