It is no secret that the Chinese automobile major Great Wall Motors (GWM) is interested in our auto market and has been planning for years to establish a presence. Looks like the grand start of fellow Chinese automaker SAIC under MG Motor brand has given Great Wall the much needed confidence in our market.
Times of India reports that, according to its sources in Gujarat state government, Great Wall Motors is interested in setting up a manufacturing facility in Gujarat for IC-engined and pure electric vehicles. The company is reported to have earmarked an investment of INR 7,000 crore for its Indian operations.
The publication also reports that the state government has already earmarked land for the proposed manufacturing land in the Chinese Park close to Sanand Automotive Manufacturing Zone.
The state government is reported to have shared its policies and incentives along with details of the lands to Great Wall Motors. An entourage of Chinese auto component manufacturers are also expected set up shop in the vicinity to support the auto giant.
Great Wall Motors is China’s largest maker of SUVs and pickup trucks. When the company enters India, it would do so under Haval India banner. Haval, the automaker’s SUV brand, is the best tool to kick start the Indian innings, considering how popular the MG Hector and Kia Seltos turned out to be in our country.
Haval’s SUV range spans from a Seltos-sized H2 to Ford Endeavour-sized H9 7-seater. With right level of localization, Haval could achieve competitive price points for its well equipped products. However, it would be the first real test of a Chinese auto brand’s reception by Indian customers. Sure, SAIC is already here but it has a heritage rich British brand at its disposal to capitalize on but Great Wall doesn’t have that.
A big-ticket manufacturing facility would Gujarat’s importance in automobile manufacturing. The state currently is home to manufacturing facilities by major OEMs like Tata, Suzuki, MG Motors (SAIC), Ford, etc. Even as Great Wall is planning to set up a plant in Gujarat, Ford is reportedly scouting for a potential buyer for its Sanand plant.
This post was last modified on September 27, 2019 2:58 pm