Great Wall Motor

Great Wall Motor (GWM) officially opened its new factory in Brazil, marking a significant step in its “ecological globalization” strategy. The inauguration was attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. GWM plans to introduce its Hi4 hybrid technology to the Latin American market, demonstrating its commitment and technological advancements in emerging markets. This venture builds upon GWM’s 28-year international presence, with over 2 million overseas vehicle sales. The opening signals a new chapter for GWM and Chinese automakers on a global scale.

Xiaomi Chairman Lei Jun congratulated Great Wall Motor on its 35th anniversary, praising its future prospects. Great Wall Motor’s Chairman Jack Wey shared gratitude for support and announced upcoming strategic reveals, including a new platform and a five-year development plan. The strong personal bond between Wey and Lei Jun was evident, with Lei Jun having previously endorsed Great Wall Motor’s models.

Great Wall Motor Chairman Wei Jianjun asserted in a CNBC interview that hybrids, not pure EVs, will drive sustainable automotive transitions, citing impracticality in replacing global oil infrastructure and lithium batteries’ temperature vulnerabilities. He highlighted China’s 85% YoY surge in PHEV sales (Q1 2025), exceeding EV growth. While Chinese engineering rivals legacy brands’ quality at lower costs, brand equity remains a hurdle. Contrasting Western EV-centric strategies, 42% of China’s 2024 NEV sales were PHEVs, underscoring a strategic divide: transitional tech adoption versus reliance on battery breakthroughs. Analysts position hybrid pragmatism as pivotal in decarbonization debates.