The second world strikes back

We got used to car and semiconductor manufacturing migrating from Europe to China, and subcontractors and EMS providers moving to obscure post-soviet states. A few years ago, Chinese companies started building infrastructure in Africa in a way, legions of western development workers weren’t able to, European and US governments ask for financial help and now the unheard-of happens: a Chinese car manufacturer opens a plant in a European low-wage country.

On November 14, Litex Motors and Great Wall Motors already unveiled their first vehicle assembled in the plant near the northern Bulgarian city of Lovech, 16 years after Bulgaria's last failed attempt at car manufacturing. After that test run, the Litex Motors factory will formally be inaugurated in February, 2012.

(The yellow peril: Voleex)

During its assembly process each vehicle will go through seven control points on assembly line; and each vehicle model will tested on a track with 30 different surfaces near the plant.

 (The Hover H5)

After the formal opening of the factory, Litex and Great Wall intend to start their production for export markets. »Voleex C10« sedan, »Hover H5« SUV and »Steed pickup« are the three different vehicle models that are planned to be produced in Lovech.

 (Steed with journalists)

Until now, the plant has produced over 10 vehicles of the Volex and Steed brands as part of its testing period. For its petrol-engine vehicles, the company also offers modifications for switching to methane that preserve the power of the engine but reduce fuel costs by 70%. In that respect, Litex Motors is to partner with the Dutch company Vialle, a LPG Systems producer.
According to the Sofia News Agency, Litex Motors currently employs about 120 people, the average age of its engineers being 25, and the average age of the assembly line operators 19, with all employees going through special training.
The joint venture intends to sell 2000 cars in 2012 and expand their annual output after that up to 50,000 cars, with the total employment figure at the Lovech plant planned to reach 2,000 people.
The joint venture between Great Wall Motor Company and the diversified holding company Litex Commerce has been signed in 2009 in the presence of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

Comments

[Projector Headlights]

Wow, it's actually the first time I have heard of them and the car. It's good to know that they can contribute a lot to the car industry.