Latest news with #GreatWallMotor
Straits Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
China car giants rush into Brazil with dreams of dominating a continent
Great Wall Motor took over the Mercedes plant in Brazilian town of Iracemápolis, near São Paulo, after the German carmaker closed shop in 2021. SíO PAULO – A two-hour drive beyond the traffic jams of São Paulo, past the vast valleys of sugar cane, one of the first Chinese battery-powered car factories in the Americas is getting ready to open. Its goal is to reinvent the way Brazil drives, and ultimately, the rest of Latin America, much as Chinese automakers have already done across much of Asia and want to do in Europe. Until recently, this factory was run by German giant Mercedes-Benz. Today, it's owned by Great Wall Motor, a company that is now one of China's leading exporters of stylish, affordable electric vehicles. The change in hands reflects a profound disruption for one of the world's most vital industries. If American and European petrol-guzzling cars once dominated global tastes and trends, that era appears to be fast turning to China's favour. Today, not only does China make and export more cars of all types than any other country in the world, Chinese firms dominate the global manufacture of battery-powered vehicles of the future. They also control the supply chain for virtually everything that goes into those cars. China's EV s are among the most advanced in the world. Some today go as far on a single charge as top-of-the-line Teslas, at lower prices. One Chinese carmaker, BYD, short for Build Your Dreams, has developed technology that can deliver a full charge in just five minutes. Little wonder that Tesla sales in China are lagging, and that the United States, under both Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump, have essentially banned Chinese car imports. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024 World Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines, down from 20% Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore 2 foreigners arrested for shop theft at Changi Airport Opinion Most companies onboard the wrong way – here's how to get it right Sport AC Milan's Rafael Leao gives Singapore fan an unforgettable birthday Life Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath's bat-biting frontman turned reality TV star, dies aged 76 Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving For China, that leaves the rest of the world. Its electric and hybrid manufacturers have set up, or are in the process of setting up, factories in Hungary, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand and Turkey. These efforts, including Great Wall's Brazilian factory, are part of a globe-spanning campaign by China to seize a major share of the world's auto industry. Western auto giants are alarmed. 'We are in a global competition with China,' Jim Farley, the chief executive of Ford Motor, said at the Aspen Ideas conference in June. 'It's not just EVs. And if we lose this, we do not have a future at Ford.' Great Wall Motor took over the Mercedes plant in the industrial town of Iracemápolis, near São Paulo, after the German carmaker closed shop in 2021, blaming a slump in luxury car sales. BYD took over a Ford factory after years of poor sales and steep losses forced the US car giant to end its long history of manufacturing in Brazil. Brazil, the world's sixth largest car market, is trying to take advantage of the trend, instead of being steamrolled. It's prodding companies, no matter where they're from, to make cars on Brazilian soil, the less polluting the better, while also imposing steadily rising tariffs on imports. It hasn't all been smooth sailing. There have been union clashes over Chinese labour practices. But the government's overall message: If you want access to our car buyers, then come and create factories and factory jobs here. 'We don't want to be an importer of technologies produced in other countries only,' said Rafael Dubeux, special adviser to the Finance Ministry, in an interview in Brazil's capital, Brasília. 'We also want to take advantage of this profound change in the world, in manufacturing facilities, so that Brazil also has a part in the value chains that we think are the ones that will prevail.' At least three Chinese firms are opening assembly plants in Brazil. In addition to Great Wall Motor and BYD, another Chinese automaker, Chery, has teamed up with a Brazilian company, Caoa, to produce cars in central Goias state. Nevertheless, Marcio Lima Leite, head of the Brazil automaker association, remains worried. The new Chinese auto plants are mainly assembling cars with components imported from China, including the most valuable component, batteries. That, he said, will not advance the industry in Brazil. 'It's very important to have competitiveness in Brazil, to produce the new technology in Brazil,' he said. Chinese carmakers have had to bend to local needs in important ways. In Brazil, that means the needs of the powerful ethanol industry. Ethanol is produced from the country's huge sugar cane crop, and Brazilian law requires every litre of petrol to be a little more than 25 per cent ethanol. So the auto companies aren't just making fully electric cars in Brazil. They are also having to make hybrids that run partly on the petrol-ethanol blend and partly on batteries. NYTIMES
Zawya
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
Smart Mobility International opens first WEY Showroom in Dubai and launches the new Plug-in Hybrid WEY 03
RELATED TOPICS UAE RELATED COMPANIES Smart Mobility Advanced Saf Great Wall Motor First WEY showroom opens on Sheikh Zayed Road, marking brand debut in the UAE New WEY 03 plug-in hybrid unveiled, featuring Hi4 intelligent all-wheel-drive system with up to 378 hp Offers an advanced driving experience with three power sources and five selectable driving modes Delivers outstanding fuel efficiency at just 5.68 litres per 100 km (WLTC cycle) Equipped with advanced safety features including radar, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors Backed by up to 1 million km of warranty and 3 years of complimentary service Dubai, Smart Mobility International (SMI) is the UAEs first specialist distributor of Premium Chinese electric vehicles has officially inaugurated its first WEY showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road - Murdouf Centre - Al Safa 1 - Dubai, reinforcing the company's commitment to growth and innovation in the region's mobility sector. Aligned with Smart Mobility's vision to support sustainable transportation in the UAE, WEY, One of Great Wall Motor's (GWM) leading automotive brands, offers one of the best-selling plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), combining premium performance, cutting-edge smart energy technology, sophisticated design, and an integrated smart ecosystem. The showroom's grand opening was Hosted by Moutaz Louis, CEO of Smart Mobility International, as well as a host of dignitaries, industry leaders, car enthusiasts, and company executives. New WEY 03 model At the launch ceremony, Smart Mobility International unveiled the new WEY 03, an advanced plug-in hybrid featuring the Hi4 all-wheel-drive system. The vehicle combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with front and rear electric motors, delivering responsive all-terrain performance, strong acceleration, and impressive fuel efficiency. Drivers can choose from three power sources (EV, Ev Priority and Hybrid) and five driving modes (ECO, Normal, Sport, Snow and AWD), offering a perfect balance between efficiency and dynamic handling. The WEY 03 delivers a total output of 378 hp and 750 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km in just 6 seconds. Its 2,745 mm wheelbase ensures a stable and comfortable ride. Exceptional Fuel Efficiency The WEY 03 delivers impressive fuel efficiency, consuming just 5.68 litres per 100 kilometres under the WLTC cycle. It offers an electric-only range of up to 130 kilometres, powered by a 27.5 kWh battery, making it well-suited for daily urban commuting without using fuel. The result is a zero-emission driving experience aimed at reducing environmental impact. Advanced Safety Systems Prioritising occupant safety, the WEY 03 is equipped with advanced 5 Millimetre-wave radar (MWR), 8 Ultrasonic radar, 1 Sensor camera (front) and 4 Surrounding Camera. Standard safety features include lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, reverse lateral braking, and six airbags—providing comprehensive protection in all driving conditions. Strategic move Moutaz Louis said the launch of the first WEY showroom in Dubai is a strategic move to expand the company's footprint in the region's NEV market. 'We are committed to delivering innovative technology solutions that integrate premium craftsmanship with performance engineering. The WEY 03 delivers a best-in-class driving experience, combining high torque output and fuel efficiency, underpinned by a focus on sustainable powertrains and intelligent vehicle architecture. He noted that the launch of this model demonstrates the company's commitment to preserving the environment and creating sustainable mobility solutions that support the UAE's vision to move towards a more sustainable future. Million Kilometre Warranty Smart Mobility International has also announced a suite of premium after-sales services, including a warranty of 1 million kilometres or 5 years for the vehicle and 8 years or 1 million kilometres for the battery. The offering includes free servicing for 3 years or 60,000 kilometres, a complimentary charger, and one year of free insurance, demonstrating the company's commitment to delivering a comprehensive and customer-focused ownership experience. Accessible hub The Smart Mobility International Service Centre is designed to deliver top-tier after-sales support, combining advanced diagnostic technology with a highly trained technical team. Committed to customer satisfaction, the centre provides comprehensive services including maintenance, repairs, software updates, and genuine spare parts for all vehicle models under Smart Mobility International. Spanning 5,000 sqm, and located in Al Quoz, the centre offers customers a convenient and accessible hub for all their service needs. With a focus on efficiency, transparency, and convenience, the centre ensures every customer receives premium care that matches the quality and innovation of the vehicles it supports. About Great Wall Motor Great Wall Motor (GWM) is a leading global automotive manufacturer from China, renowned for its expertise in SUVs, off-road and pickups. Among its brands, WEY stands out as the premium SUV line, focusing on smart, high-end vehicles with advanced technology. Named after Mr. Wey, the founder and chairman of GWM, the brand reflects his personal commitment to excellence and his promise to create the best vehicle in the GWM lineup. Established under the GWM umbrella, WEY combines luxury design with strong performance and represents the pinnacle of the company's innovation. Maintains full control over its key components and has sold over one million vehicles. In the UAE, it operates multiple brands, including HAVAL and TANK.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Chinese car giants rush into Brazil with dreams of dominating a continent
A two-hour drive beyond the traffic jams of São Paulo, past the vast valleys of sugar cane, one of the first Chinese battery-powered car factories in the Americas is getting ready to open. Its goal is to reinvent the way Brazil drives, and ultimately, the rest of Latin America, much as Chinese automakers have already done across much of Asia and want to do in Europe. Until recently, this factory was run by Mercedes-Benz, the German giant of 20th century automotive innovation that churned out cars powered by gasoline. Today, it's owned by Great Wall Motor, a company that is now one of China's leading exporters of stylish, affordable electric vehicles. The change in hands reflects a profound disruption for one of the world's most vital industries. If American and European gas-guzzling cars once dominated global tastes and trends, that era appears to be fast turning to China's favor. Today, not only does China make and export more cars of all types than any other country in the world, Chinese firms dominate the global manufacture of battery-powered vehicles of the future. They also control the supply chain for virtually everything that goes into those cars. China's EV s are among the most advanced in the world. Some today go as far on a single charge as top-of-the-line Teslas , at lower prices. One Chinese carmaker, BYD, short for Build Your Dreams, has developed technology that can deliver a full charge in just five minutes. Little wonder that Tesla sales in China are lagging, and that the United States, under both Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump , have essentially banned Chinese car imports. For China, that leaves the rest of the world. Its electric and hybrid manufacturers have set up, or are in the process of setting up, factories in Hungary, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand and Turkey. These efforts, including Great Wall's Brazilian factory, are part of a globe-spanning campaign by China to seize a major share of the world's auto industry, a powerful source of revenues, jobs and also national prestige. Western auto giants are alarmed. "We are in a global competition with China," Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford Motor Co., said at the Aspen Ideas conference in June. "It's not just EVs. And if we lose this, we do not have a future at Ford." Great Wall Motor took over the Mercedes plant in the industrial town of Iracemápolis, near São Paulo, after the German carmaker closed shop in 2021, blaming a slump in luxury car sales. BYD took over a Ford factory after years of poor sales and steep losses forced the U.S. car giant to end its long history of manufacturing in Brazil. Farley at the time called the closures "difficult but necessary actions." Ford had assembled cars in Brazil for a century, starting with the Model T. "For the first time in decades, we're seeing a real challenge to the dominance of American and European brands, not just in terms of market share, but in shaping the future of mobility," said Natalie Unterstell , president of a climate research and advocacy organization called Talanoa Institute, based in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil, the world's sixth largest car market, is trying to take advantage of it, instead of being steamrolled. It's prodding companies, no matter where they're from, to make cars on Brazilian soil, the less polluting the better, while also imposing steadily rising tariffs on imports. It hasn't all been smooth sailing. There have been union clashes over Chinese labor practices. But the government's overall message: If you want access to our car buyers, then come and create factories and factory jobs here. "We don't want to be an importer of technologies produced in other countries only," said Rafael Dubeux , special adviser to the Finance Ministry, in an interview in Brazil's capital, Brasília. "We also want to take advantage of this profound change in the world, in manufacturing facilities, so that Brazil also has a part in the value chains that we think are the ones that will prevail." At least three Chinese firms are opening assembly plants in Brazil. In addition to Great Wall Motor and BYD, another Chinese automaker, Chery, has teamed up with a Brazilian company, Caoa, to produce cars in central Goias state. Nevertheless, Marcio Lima Leite, head of the Brazil automaker association, remains worried. The new Chinese auto plants are mainly assembling cars with components imported from China, including the most valuable component, batteries. That, he said, will not advance the industry in Brazil. "It's very important to have competitiveness in Brazil, to produce the new technology in Brazil," he said. Chinese carmakers have had to bend to local needs in important ways. In Brazil, that means the needs of the powerful ethanol industry. Ethanol is produced from the country's huge sugar cane crop, and Brazilian law requires every liter of gasoline to be a little more than 25% ethanol. So the auto companies aren't just making fully electric cars in Brazil. They are also having to make hybrids that run partly on the gas-ethanol blend and partly on batteries. "We need to produce what customers are looking for," said Marcio Renato Alfonso , a Brazilian who worked for an American carmaker for many years and is now Great Wall's director of research and development for Brazil. "High technology with an affordable price." Along Henry Ford Avenue in the industrial city of Camaçari, what was once a Ford factory is now becoming a BYD factory. This had been Ford's newest plant. Every day, starting in 2001, it churned out hundreds of gas-powered cars. It employed some 5,000 workers. It also lost huge amounts of money. In 2021, the Ford plant shut down. "It was a shock," said Júlio Bonfim, who was president of the metal workers union at the factory. "I imagined my son would also work at the plant. It didn't happen." The state government offered BYD a basket of incentives to take over the plant. But almost as soon as the Chinese company arrived, it got enmeshed in a labor scandal. In December, Brazilian officials accused BYD's contractor, Jinjiang Construction Group, with keeping 163 Chinese workers in "conditions akin to slavery" and in violation of Brazilian labor laws. It embodied the reckoning that Chinese companies face as they seek to expand in Brazil, which has robust unions. The workers were sent back home. Construction slowed down. Company officials said they expect to start production later this year. When it does, Bonfim's union insists that Brazilians must be hired to work the line. It has threatened to strike if Chinese workers are brought in. BYD's top executive for Brazil, Alexandre Baldy , said the firm had taken steps to address the violations. In May the labor prosecutor's office filed charges against the carmaker and its contractors for human trafficking. The company said it plans to challenge the charges. In the meantime, the Great Wall factory in Iracemápolis will almost assuredly already be fully operational. An opening ceremony is planned for August. Cars are due to roll off the factory floor soon after. The factory first plans to produce one hybrid model and three plug-in hybrids.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
China marks new export cars as 'used' to inflate sales, Reuters investigation says
-- China's automotive industry has been artificially boosting sales figures through a government-supported grey market that registers new vehicles as "used" for export purposes, according to a Reuters investigation published on Tuesday. These "zero-mileage" cars, which have never been driven, are reportedly being shipped to markets including Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East as used vehicles, allowing Chinese automakers to report growth while disposing of excess inventory that would be difficult to sell domestically. The practice gained national attention after the head of Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor criticized the sale of zero-mileage used cars within China in May. On June 10, the People's Daily newspaper condemned the domestic sale of these vehicles, calling for "tough regulatory action" to restore market order amid an ongoing price war. While domestic sales of such vehicles face criticism, the export of zero-mileage used cars is actively encouraged by regional governments across China. Reuters claims it identified 20 local governments, including major export hubs like Guangdong and Sichuan, that have publicly documented their support for this practice. The process works by having exporters purchase cars directly from manufacturers or dealers as they leave the assembly line. The vehicles are registered with Chinese license plates and immediately classified as second-hand for export. This allows automakers to record the cars as sold and recognize the revenue. This practice helps local governments meet economic growth targets set by Beijing. Since export firms both purchase and sell each car, the transaction value is doubled compared to standard new or used car sales, artificially inflating GDP statistics. The tactic indicates that China's automotive industry, the world's largest, is allowing production to exceed demand, fueling the extended domestic price war and prompting accusations of automotive "dumping" in international markets. Related articles China marks new export cars as 'used' to inflate sales, Reuters investigation says SpaceX role in new defense system reportedly in question after Musk-Trump feud U.S. agencies monitored foreign visits to Elon Musk's properties, says WSJ
Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Chinese car giants rush into Brazil with dreams of dominating a continent
A two-hour drive beyond the traffic jams of São Paulo, past the vast valleys of sugar cane, one of the first Chinese battery-powered car factories in the Americas is getting ready to open. Its goal is to reinvent the way Brazil drives, and ultimately, the rest of Latin America, much as Chinese automakers have already done across much of Asia and want to do in Europe. Until recently, this factory was run by Mercedes-Benz, the German giant of 20th century automotive innovation that churned out cars powered by gasoline. Today, it's owned by Great Wall Motor, a company that is now one of China's leading exporters of stylish, affordable electric vehicles. The change in hands reflects a profound disruption for one of the world's most vital industries. If American and European gas-guzzling cars once dominated global tastes and trends, that era appears to be fast turning to China's favor. Today, not only does China make and export more cars of all types than any other country in the world, Chinese firms dominate the global manufacture of battery-powered vehicles of the future. They also control the supply chain for virtually everything that goes into those cars. China's EV s are among the most advanced in the world. Some today go as far on a single charge as top-of-the-line Teslas, at lower prices. One Chinese carmaker, BYD, short for Build Your Dreams, has developed technology that can deliver a full charge in just five minutes. Little wonder that Tesla sales in China are lagging, and that the United States, under both Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump , have essentially banned Chinese car imports. For China, that leaves the rest of the world. Its electric and hybrid manufacturers have set up, or are in the process of setting up, factories in Hungary, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand and Turkey. These efforts, including Great Wall's Brazilian factory, are part of a globe-spanning campaign by China to seize a major share of the world's auto industry, a powerful source of revenues, jobs and also national prestige. Western auto giants are alarmed. "We are in a global competition with China," Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford Motor Co., said at the Aspen Ideas conference in June. "It's not just EVs. And if we lose this, we do not have a future at Ford." Great Wall Motor took over the Mercedes plant in the industrial town of Iracemápolis, near São Paulo, after the German carmaker closed shop in 2021, blaming a slump in luxury car sales. BYD took over a Ford factory after years of poor sales and steep losses forced the U.S. car giant to end its long history of manufacturing in Brazil. Farley at the time called the closures "difficult but necessary actions." Ford had assembled cars in Brazil for a century, starting with the Model T. "For the first time in decades, we're seeing a real challenge to the dominance of American and European brands, not just in terms of market share, but in shaping the future of mobility," said Natalie Unterstell , president of a climate research and advocacy organization called Talanoa Institute, based in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil, the world's sixth largest car market, is trying to take advantage of it, instead of being steamrolled. It's prodding companies, no matter where they're from, to make cars on Brazilian soil, the less polluting the better, while also imposing steadily rising tariffs on imports. It hasn't all been smooth sailing. There have been union clashes over Chinese labor practices. But the government's overall message: If you want access to our car buyers, then come and create factories and factory jobs here. "We don't want to be an importer of technologies produced in other countries only," said Rafael Dubeux , special adviser to the Finance Ministry, in an interview in Brazil's capital, Brasília. "We also want to take advantage of this profound change in the world, in manufacturing facilities, so that Brazil also has a part in the value chains that we think are the ones that will prevail." At least three Chinese firms are opening assembly plants in Brazil. In addition to Great Wall Motor and BYD, another Chinese automaker, Chery, has teamed up with a Brazilian company, Caoa, to produce cars in central Goias state. Nevertheless, Marcio Lima Leite, head of the Brazil automaker association, remains worried. The new Chinese auto plants are mainly assembling cars with components imported from China, including the most valuable component, batteries. That, he said, will not advance the industry in Brazil. "It's very important to have competitiveness in Brazil, to produce the new technology in Brazil," he said. Chinese carmakers have had to bend to local needs in important ways. In Brazil, that means the needs of the powerful ethanol industry. Ethanol is produced from the country's huge sugar cane crop, and Brazilian law requires every liter of gasoline to be a little more than 25% ethanol. So the auto companies aren't just making fully electric cars in Brazil. They are also having to make hybrids that run partly on the gas-ethanol blend and partly on batteries. "We need to produce what customers are looking for," said Marcio Renato Alfonso , a Brazilian who worked for an American carmaker for many years and is now Great Wall's director of research and development for Brazil. "High technology with an affordable price." Along Henry Ford Avenue in the industrial city of Camaçari, what was once a Ford factory is now becoming a BYD factory. This had been Ford's newest plant. Every day, starting in 2001, it churned out hundreds of gas-powered cars. It employed some 5,000 workers. It also lost huge amounts of money. In 2021, the Ford plant shut down. "It was a shock," said Júlio Bonfim, who was president of the metal workers union at the factory. "I imagined my son would also work at the plant. It didn't happen." The state government offered BYD a basket of incentives to take over the plant. But almost as soon as the Chinese company arrived, it got enmeshed in a labor scandal. In December, Brazilian officials accused BYD's contractor, Jinjiang Construction Group, with keeping 163 Chinese workers in "conditions akin to slavery" and in violation of Brazilian labor laws. It embodied the reckoning that Chinese companies face as they seek to expand in Brazil, which has robust unions. The workers were sent back home. Construction slowed down. Company officials said they expect to start production later this year. When it does, Bonfim's union insists that Brazilians must be hired to work the line. It has threatened to strike if Chinese workers are brought in. BYD's top executive for Brazil, Alexandre Baldy , said the firm had taken steps to address the violations. In May the labor prosecutor's office filed charges against the carmaker and its contractors for human trafficking. The company said it plans to challenge the charges. In the meantime, the Great Wall factory in Iracemápolis will almost assuredly already be fully operational. An opening ceremony is planned for August. Cars are due to roll off the factory floor soon after. The factory first plans to produce one hybrid model and three plug-in hybrids.
