First Chinese Branded Cars To Be Produced In The EU
There is considerable new construction in Bahovista, Bulgaria, in what the New York Times calls a “goat-trodden village in the foothills of the Balkans.” China’s Great Wall and Bulgarian wrestler Grisha Ganchev have teamed up to build an assembly plant which, if the NYT is right, “should begin turning out the first Chinese-branded cars in the European Union,” sometime next summer. Which ones? Wait, we’ll get there …
The Bahovitsa plant has the capacity for 50,000 units per year, built from kits shipped from China. Great Wall has obtained the all-important European Whole Vehicle Type Approval for a number of vehicles. The WVTA makes the cars street-legal in all of the EU.
According to the NYT, “the models and technical specifications” of the cars to be built in the goat-trodden village “have yet to be released.” Therefore, one is forced to make assumptions.
A study of what has been submitted for WVTA approval most likely produces the most reliable results.
The enterprising researcher can also visit the 8th Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition, held from December 21 to 27. Also, a simple read of China’s Global Times will be successful. The paper reports that a “Hover H5 European version,” equipped with a “2.0VGT high-efficiency diesel engine” mated to a 5 speed tranny will be debuted at the event.
According to Great Wall, that diesel engine complies with the strict EURO 5 standard. Having obtained all necessary documentation, the Chinese invasion of Europe may begin.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
More by Bertel Schmitt
Comments
Join the conversation
Bulgaria mentioned on TTAC - I am really proud. Some pictures from the construction site near Lovech, Bulgaria. pic1, pic2, pic3, pic4 The pictures are taken in September and I can't find newer but from what I read the Chinese are not happy with the speed the construction is done. Still from September the (soon to be) factory is hiring people but not line workers. Since the plant is located in one of the poorest and depopulated areas of the country finding the required workforce will not be easy. So the Chinese invasion will at least be delayed.
Front: CX-7 Back: Isuzu Axiom
What? It's not going to be CKD SAIC MG assembled in England and sold through Opel dealers as so prominently suggested here last week? The horror... the horror...
Since the plant is located in one of the poorest and depopulated areas of the country finding the required workforce will not be easy. Perhaps the feng shui and the numerology ( ask Bertel our man in Middle Kingdom for explanation ) all adds up to be a swell but not swift one though. poor area probably is good as u dont have to pay them top wages, but de-populated area ! How do u find people to work, unless u built dorms to house them, ship them in from towns & cities near by.