Chinese carmaker opens plant in Bulgaria, targets Albania

TIRANA, Feb. 21 – Great Wall Motors launched operations in Bulgaria on Tuesday, becoming the first Chinese automaker to assemble cars in the European Union, the Associated Press reports.
At a ceremony in the village of Bahovista, the major Chinese sports utility vehicle maker said it will start with an initial production of 2,000 cars a year, with the output gradually rising to 50,000 annually by 2014. The car plant, owned by Great Wall and Bulgaria’s Litex Motors, will initially produce cars aimed at the local market. Future targets could include Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia.
Great Wall officials said the aim is to gradually expand into other European markets. Since Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, the project provides Great Wall with access to other EU countries at zero tariff levels.
“We have to first meet demand in Bulgaria and the neighboring countries, but in the long term we hope that our cars made in Bulgaria can reach the European market,” said Wang Fengying, Great Wall president and CEO.
She said that it could take three to five years to reach that goal, but affirmed that “stepping on the European market is our strategy.”
The first two models being produced in Bulgaria נthe Voleex C10 city car and the Steed 5 pickup נwill cost Euro 8,000-12,500 ($10,565-$16,500).