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Great Wall Motors traces its origins to 1976 when a cooperative agricultural vehicle repair workshop was established in Baoding by Wei Deliang. In 1984 the workshop was renamed Great Wall Industry Company and began producing commercial vehicles based on the Beijing BJ212 platform. After Wei Deliang's death in 1989, his nephew Wei Jianjun took over the struggling company at age 26 and led its transformation into one of China's most successful automakers.
In 1993 GWM began building passenger cars based on the Nissan Cedric and Toyota Crown, but new regulations in 1994 denied the company a production license. Forced to pivot, GWM focused on pickups and launched the Great Wall Deer in 1996 based on the Toyota Hilux, quickly becoming China's largest pickup manufacturer. The company was privatized in 1998 with the Wei family retaining a majority stake and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2003, the first private Chinese automaker to do so.
GWM launched the Haval Hover SUV in 2006 and began exporting to Italy, becoming the first private Chinese carmaker to enter Europe. The company expanded into multiple brands including Haval (SUVs), Wey (premium), Ora (electric), Tank (off-road), and Poer (pickups). GWM opened a European headquarters in Munich in 2021 and has been expanding across Europe and Australia. Unlike most Chinese automakers, GWM has been privately owned throughout its history.
GWM was the first private Chinese automaker to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, paving the way for other private Chinese companies to access international capital markets. The vertically integrated engine production capability it developed after a supply crisis in 1999 gave GWM independence from external suppliers for core powertrain needs.
GWM's multi-brand strategy created distinct identities for each segment, from the rugged Tank off-road brand to the retro-styled Ora EV brand. The company was also among the first Chinese automakers to seriously pursue European expansion, achieving strong Euro NCAP safety ratings for its models.
Great Wall Industry Company established in Baoding, China.
Deer pickup based on Toyota Hilux makes GWM China's largest pickup maker.
GWM lists on Hong Kong Stock Exchange, first private Chinese automaker.
Haval Hover SUV launched; first private Chinese car exporter to Europe.
Opens European headquarters in Munich, Germany.
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