Who Owns GWM?
GWM is owned by Great Wall Motors, a publicly traded Chinese automotive manufacturer listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under ticker 2333.HK. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Baoding, Hebei, China, Great Wall Motors operates GWM as its core vehicle brand alongside Haval, ORA, Tank, and WEY. The company sold 1.23 million vehicles in 2024 and exports to over 60 countries.
Parent Company
Founded
1984
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Who Owns GWM?
- Parent Company: Great Wall Motor Company Limited
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: HKEX / SSE: 02333 (HKEX), 601633 (SSE)
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| GWM | Great Wall Motor Company Limited | Wholly owned |
Where to Buy
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GWM on AmazonHistory of GWM
- Founded: 1984
- Founders: Great Wall Motors (internal development)
Great Wall Motors was founded in 1984 by Wei Jianjun in Baoding, Hebei Province, China. The company started as a small vehicle modification workshop, assembling pickup trucks from parts sourced from other manufacturers. In 1996, Great Wall Motors produced its first proprietary vehicle, the Deer pickup truck. The Deer became one of the best-selling pickups in China and established Great Wall Motors as the country's leading pickup truck manufacturer, a position it has held for over 26 consecutive years.
In the early 2000s, Great Wall Motors entered the SUV market with the Safe and Hover models. The Hover SUV line was later rebranded as Haval, which became one of China's best-selling SUV brands. The company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2003 under ticker 2333.HK, raising capital to fund expansion of its manufacturing capacity and product development.
Great Wall Motors became one of the first Chinese automakers to export vehicles in significant volumes. By the late 2000s, the company had established dealerships in Africa, the Middle East, South America, and Australia. This early international expansion gave GWM a head start over many domestic competitors in building a global sales network.
The 2010s brought a major brand restructuring. Great Wall Motors separated its vehicle lineup into distinct sub-brands: Haval for mass-market SUVs, WEY for premium vehicles (named after founder Wei Jianjun), ORA for electric vehicles, and Tank for off-road SUVs. The GWM brand itself became the umbrella for pickup trucks and commercial vehicles. This multi-brand strategy allowed the company to target different market segments with dedicated products and marketing budgets.
In 2021, Great Wall Motors announced plans to invest approximately $14 billion in electrification and intelligent driving technology over the following decade. The company expanded its global manufacturing footprint with plants in Thailand (acquired from General Motors in 2020), Brazil (acquired from Mercedes-Benz in 2021), and Russia. The company also entered the European and Australian markets with electric and hybrid vehicles.
In August 2024, Great Wall Motors closed its European headquarters in Munich due to low sales. The company sold only 6,300 vehicles in Europe in 2023, representing about 2% of its overseas sales. This retreat reflected the difficulty Chinese automakers face in penetrating mature European markets with established brand loyalty and regulatory requirements.
Despite the European setback, GWM's 2024 performance was strong overall. The company sold 1.23 million vehicles globally, a slight year-over-year increase of 0.21%. Both new energy vehicle sales and overseas sales reached record levels, with exports accounting for approximately 37% of total volume.
About Great Wall Motor Company Limited
Is Great Wall Motors publicly traded?
Yes, Great Wall Motor Company Limited is publicly traded on both the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (H shares: 02333 HKD counter, 82333 RMB counter, listed December 2003) and the Shanghai Stock Exchange (A shares: 601633, listed September 2011). The company is widely held by institutional and individual investors in domestic and international markets. Founder Wei Jianjun maintains significant influence through his shareholding and position as Chairman.
Who founded Great Wall Motors?
Great Wall Motors was founded in 1984 by Wei Jianjun in Baoding, Hebei Province, China. Wei Jianjun continues to serve as Chairman and maintains significant influence over the company's strategic direction. He has led the company's transformation from a small local manufacturer into one of China's major automotive manufacturers and exporters.
How many cars does Great Wall Motors sell?
Great Wall Motors sold 1,323,800 vehicles in 2025, up 7.23 percent year over year, achieving a record high. Overseas sales reached 506,800 units (up 11.60 percent), and new energy vehicle sales totaled 406,000 units (up 26.00 percent). NEV penetration was 30.5 percent of total sales. For 2026, GWM targets 1.8 million vehicle sales, a 36 percent increase.
What brands does Great Wall Motors own?
GWM operates seven brands: Haval (mainstream SUVs, 761,487 units in 2025), TANK (premium off-road SUVs, 234,442 units), WEY (premium new energy, 99,617 units), ORA (electric vehicles, 48,312 units), GWM Pickup (pickup trucks, 178,936 units), GWM SOUO (touring motorcycles, 500-plus units delivered in 2025), and GWM Commercial Vehicles (heavy-duty trucks, 502 units). The company also offers multiple powertrain options including gasoline, diesel, pure electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell.
What is Great Wall Motors' revenue?
Great Wall Motors reported FY2025 total operating revenue of RMB 222.82 billion (approximately $30.6 billion), up 10.20 percent from RMB 202.19 billion in FY2024. Revenue from automobile sales was RMB 195.85 billion. Net profit attributable to shareholders was RMB 9.87 billion (down 22.07 percent), with basic EPS of RMB 1.16. R&D expenses were RMB 10.43 billion, and selling expenses were RMB 11.27 billion. The proposed dividend is RMB 0.35 per share.
Does Great Wall Motors sell cars internationally?
Yes, GWM has significant international operations. Overseas sales reached 506,800 units in 2025, up 11.60 percent, setting a record. The company has manufacturing plants in Thailand, Brazil, Russia, and Pakistan, and distribution networks across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, South America, and Oceania. The GWM Cannon pickup leads sales in Australia, South Africa, and Chile, with presence in over 60 countries. GWM closed its European headquarters in Munich in 2024 due to low sales but continues European operations through alternative channels.
What is Great Wall Motors' 2026 target?
GWM targets 1.8 million vehicle sales in 2026, a 36 percent increase from 2025's 1,323,800 units. New energy vehicle penetration is targeted to exceed 50 percent, up from 30.5 percent in 2025. This requires adding nearly 500,000 units to 2025's volume and significantly accelerating NEV adoption.
- Founded: 1984
- Headquarters: Baoding, Hebei, China
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: HKEX / SSE: 02333 (HKEX), 601633 (SSE)
- Revenue: RMB 222.82B (FY2025)
- Employees: ~80,000
Where Is GWM Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Baoding, Hebei, China
- Manufacturing / Operations: China, Russia, Thailand, Brazil, Ecuador
GWM Categories & Tags
GWM Sustainability & Ethics
Great Wall Motors has invested in electric vehicle development as part of its sustainability strategy. The ORA brand produces affordable battery electric vehicles, and GWM offers hybrid versions of its pickup trucks and SUVs. In 2024, new energy vehicle sales reached record levels for the company. The company has also developed hydrogen fuel cell technology through its FTXT subsidiary.
Great Wall Motors has set carbon emission reduction targets and reports on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions through its ESG disclosures. The company's manufacturing facilities incorporate energy efficiency measures and waste reduction programs. However, no independently verified sustainability certifications from recognized bodies (such as B Corp, carbon-neutral certifications, or similar) have been confirmed for the GWM brand or Great Wall Motors as of August 2026.
The company's vehicles must meet emissions and safety standards in all markets where they are sold, including China's National VI emissions standards, Euro 6 standards in Europe, and ADR standards in Australia. GWM's supply chain ethics programs require supplier compliance with environmental and labor standards, though independent verification of these programs is limited.
GWM's sustainability efforts are primarily driven by regulatory compliance and the broader industry shift toward electrification rather than by independently certified environmental commitments.
GWM Recalls & Controversies
GWM has faced several vehicle recalls, particularly in the Australian market, as it expanded internationally. The recalls have involved safety-related defects that required corrective action by the company.
In December 2025, Great Wall Motors Australia recalled 1,445 GWM Cannon Alpha, Tank 300, and Tank 500 hybrid vehicles due to a fault with the high-voltage wiring harness. The shielding ring in the harness may not be properly grounded, which could reduce electromagnetic shielding effectiveness and cause abnormal communication with engine and transmission control systems. The recall required dealers to inspect and repair the wiring harness at no cost to owners.
Great Wall Motors Australia also issued a separate recall for GWM Cannon Alpha vehicles due to power steering wiring issues. The fault could cause loss of power steering or engine shutdown while driving. This recall affected Diesel, HEV, and PHEV models built between 2023 and 2025. Owners were advised to contact GWM dealerships for inspection and repair.
In 2024, GWM closed its European headquarters in Munich, citing low sales. The company sold only 6,300 vehicles in Europe in 2023, about 2% of its overseas total. The withdrawal raised questions about the viability of Chinese automakers' expansion into mature European markets with established brand loyalty and strict regulatory requirements.
GWM has also faced intellectual property disputes related to vehicle design as it expanded internationally. These disputes are common in the automotive industry and have been resolved through legal proceedings or settlements on a case-by-case basis.
Brands Owned by Great Wall Motor Company Limited
GWM Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Access to Great Wall Motors' R&D operations with over 20,000 engineers across six countries
- +Strong manufacturing expertise in SUVs and pickup trucks, built over 40 years
- +Competitive pricing backed by the parent company's scale and vertical integration
- +Growing international presence with manufacturing in five countries and sales in over 60 markets
- +Multi-brand portfolio allowing GWM to focus on its core strengths while sister brands target other segments
Considerations
- -Limited brand recognition in Western markets, as demonstrated by the 2024 European headquarters closure
- -Quality control challenges evidenced by multiple Australian recalls in 2025
- -Geopolitical risks affecting Chinese automakers in certain international markets
- -Intense domestic competition from BYD, Geely, and Chery in the Chinese market
- -Regulatory compliance costs across diverse international markets with varying standards
Frequently Asked Questions About GWM
Sources & Further Reading
- Great Wall Motors Official Website
- Great Wall Motors Hong Kong Stock Exchange Filing (2333.HK)
- GWM Australia Recall Information
- Drive.com.au GWM Recall Coverage
- Great Wall Motors Global Sales Data
- Great Wall Motors Wikipedia
- MarkLines Automotive Industry Platform
- China Association of Automobile Manufacturers
- Australian Vehicle Safety Recall Database
Competitors to GWM
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Byd | China | 2010 | Premium | Asia pacific | All Genders | |
| Geely | China | 1997 | Mass market | China | All-ages | |
| Chery Automobile | China | 2023 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Leapmotor | China | 2015 | Mass market | Global | All-ages | |
| Saic Motor | China | 1924 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Chery Automobile | China | 2022 | Mass market | Global | All Genders |
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Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: GWM competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Great Wall Motor Company Limited Stock Information
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