After Acquiring and Renovating Mercedes’ Factory, GWM Finally Starts Importing Electrified Cars to Brazil with the Haval H6 GT

The Chinese Automaker Will Be The First In The Country To Produce Only Electrified Vehicles

Unlike most automakers that set up operations in Brazil, starting by importing vehicles and only later establishing production units in the country, Great Wall Motors (GWM) chose to place its trust in the Brazilian market, first ensuring its factory by purchasing the Mercedes-Benz facilities in the city of Iracemápolis (SP) in 2021.

The Automaker has made the necessary reforms to the factory and, more than a year later, began importing electrified cars with the brand’s first vehicle: the plug-in hybrid Haval H6 GT. The model is a sport utility vehicle (SUV), plug-in hybrid (charged via plug), equipped with unprecedented and exclusive features in the Brazilian market for this segment of automobiles.

Experts Assess That The Haval H6 GT Should Be Sold For Around R$ 300 Thousand In Brazil

Although the model’s price will only be revealed in March, automotive market experts estimate that the Haval H6 GT should be sold for around R$ 300 thousand. GWM’s production in Brazil, not necessarily of this model, will only begin in mid-2024. In this way, the Chinese automaker will be the first factory in Brazil to produce only electrified vehicles.

According to GWM’s CEO in Brazil and Latin America, James Yang, the goal of the largest private automotive group in China is to emphasize that it “really wants to put down roots in Brazil” and earn the trust of the country’s market. Additionally, the executive stated that the automaker has been studying the Brazilian market for ten years.

Does GWM Produce Electric Cars Or Electrified Cars?

GWM is expected to begin production at the Iracemápolis factory in the first half of next year, likely starting with a plug-in hybrid pickup. Once the H6 SUV also enters production, it will have a flex engine instead of just gasoline, as is the case with the imported model.

While hybrid models are considered only electrified, purely electric cars (BEV) are also part of the Chinese group’s long-term plans, along with battery production. “I don’t know if Brazil will need electrics that quickly,” justifies Oswaldo Ramos, the company’s commercial director.