Considering that the Mercedes-Benz plant in SP is perfect for its future operations, Great Wall Motors wants to buy the plant and boost its activities in Brazil
The Mercedes-Benz factory in Iracemápolis (SP) is still closed and waiting for a buyer. However, that wait could soon be over, as Great Wall Motors wants to own the plant in the future.
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Discover the Mercedes-Benz factory in SP
With an investment reaching BRL 600 million at the São Paulo factory, Mercedes-Benz made two luxury models between 2016 and 2020, closing previous generations and crossover and sedan productions, which are now only being imported.
With a production capacity of approximately 20.000 cars per year, the plant in SP has a lot of technology in its production process and meets the production requirements of Great Wall Motors. If it acquires the Mercedes-Benz plant, Great Wall Motors will gain a good advantage in the production of pickup trucks, SUVs and electric cars, since in Iracemápolis (SP) there is already a qualified workforce, without having to invest in courses or training, and also space to expand the factory, since the total area of the plant is approximately 4 thousand square meters.
Another advantage to highlight is that the Mercedes-Benz factory is located in the center of the state of São Paulo, close to the main vehicle center in the country, allowing exports through the ports of Guarujá and Santos and also the import of parts and components manufactured in China, through the same terminals.
The expansion of Great Wall Motors
Expanding more and more, Great Wall Motors has already bought factories from the famous General Motors, in Thailand and India, seeking the valuable market in Southeast Asia and, also through India, the great possibility of reaching the African and European markets. .
In addition, Great Wall Motors wants to establish a rigid base in South America through Brazil, where it has already hired the ex-Toyota Anderson Suzuki, as Director of Product Planning for the region. The company is already present in some Latin markets and intends to focus on the segments that are most interesting, despite the fact that electric cars have great future potential.
Great Wall Motors comes under pressure from other automakers in China
In China, where the brand is a leader in SUVs and pickups, Great Wall has been under great pressure from automakers such as VW and GM, seeing itself forced to explore foreign markets with greater energy.
In Brazil, the automaker tried to establish itself for the first time in 2008, when the entry of the industry in the country was officially announced, but the operation failed. In 2016, it probed SP and even had a site in the state where it planned to set up a factory, but again the action failed.
