You read that correctly, dear reader, though it’s not what you think. We’re not talking about the Great Wall, we’re talking Great Wall Motor [sic], a Chinese automaker that builds everything from sedans to pickups to hatchbacks and SUVs - some of which will bring to mind [sic times two] models from other European and Japanese carmakers. And, by mid-year 2011, Great Wall Motor will have a factory in Bahovitsa, Bulgaria! Yippee!
If you, like me, know only a few things about Bulgaria, here’s a little summary from the CIA World Factbook: it sits between Romania and Turkey; it has a population of around 7 million; Communism was dropped in 1990; the country joined NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007 and its primary exports are clothing, iron and steel, machinery and fuels. Fascinating!
The new plan is the brainchild of Bulgarian tycoon, ex-wrestler and self-professed patriot Grisha Ganchev. Mr. Granchev’s Litex firm raised 90% of the €97 million (US$130 million) needed the build the plant, with Great Wall providing the last 10. The plant is expected to generate 1,220 jobs and build some 50,000 vehicles from knock down kits a year.
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