Chinese brands already arrive in Brazil full of plans and promises of national production. Some have already started this process, others have signed contracts and some are still planning the nationalization of cars.
The first Chinese brand to set up shop in Brazil was Chery, which opened the Jacareí (SP) plant in 2014. In 2017, the operations were controlled by the Brazilian group Caoa, which already had a factory in Anápolis (GO) producing Hyundai models.
In the current phase we are receiving the arrival of new manufacturers, with operations managed by the Chinese headquarters. All are betting on electrified cars, with some also offering purely combustion models in certain segments.
Caoa Chery
Caoa currently produces Chery cars only at the plant in Anápolis (GO). The Tiggo 5X, Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 models are made under the CKD regime. The plug-in hybrid versions are imported from China.
The Caoa Group will continue to represent Chery, even with the parent company entering Brazil through other brands. Currently, national cars already have painting, welding and some local components.
Caoa Changan
The Changan Uni-T and CS75 were launched with national production (Photo: Ricardo Stuckert | Federal Government)
The Caoa Group also represents Changan in Brazil, starting this operation with the luxury division Avatr in 2025. In 2026 it started national production of the Uni-T and CS75 models.
These models are made in Anápolis (GO) on a piece-by-piece basis. It is the same adopted by GWM, the components do not come in kits as in the CKD and this facilitates the nationalization of components.
Changan’s national cars have welding, painting and various processes done locally. The brand will start making a third model soon, the CS55.
GWM
GWM has adopted a method that facilitates the adoption of national components (Photo: GWM | Disclosure)
GWM was the first Chinese brand of this new wave to settle in Brazil. She bought the deactivated Mercedes-Benz plant in Iracemápolis (SP) in 2021, even before she started selling her cars here.
Initially the plan was to produce the Poer P30 medium pickup in hybrid and diesel versions in Brazil, but the success of the Haval H6 forced a change in plans. Local production started on August 15, 2025.
After the Haval H6 started to be made here, GWM launched the Poer P30 and the Haval H9, both with a turbodiesel engine. All three national models are made on a piece-by-piece basis and already have national components.
GWM has already contacted local suppliers to increase the nationalization rate of its cars. It has also confirmed that it will open a second factory in Brazil, in the state of Espírito Santo.
They are also building a development center in Iracemápolis. The national GWM Haval H6 already has a flex engine and the entire line sold here has adjustments for Brazilian taste, such as firmer suspension adjustment, black wheels and other details.
BYD
BYD is behind its own deadlines and today assembles cars under the SKD regime (Photo: Eduardo Rodrigues | AutoPapo)
BYD always takes the spotlight when it comes to new Chinese brands thanks to its aggressive marketing and large sales volume. It bought the Camaçari (BA) plant, built by Ford, in 2023.
From then on, several promises were made about the deadlines. Initially, production was going to start at the end of 2024 and the date was postponed for several reasons. It actually started operating in September 2025.
BYD produces its cars in Brazil under the SKD regime, where the vehicles come semi-ready in kits. The processes done locally are just putting the parts together, there is no welding, painting or local components — the tires come mounted on the wheels and even inflated.
During the inauguration of the factory in 2025, a promise was made to migrate from SKD directly to nationalized production in August 2026. But in July 2026 they changed the deadline to the end of the year. BYD currently assembles the Dolphin Mini, Song Pro and King models.
Geely
The Chinese company bought part of Renault do Brasil and will produce in Paraná (Photo: Geely | Disclosure)
Geely arrived in Brazil with the support of Renault. The cooperation eventually resulted in the Chinese brand buying 26.4% of the French brand’s local branch.
This gave Geely an advantage of being able to use the Renault plant in São José dos Pinhais (PR), the distribution network and all the infrastructure already consolidated. Initially, the first national product would be the EX5 EM-i medium SUV, but the success of the EX2 electric hatch forced a last-minute change.
Geely intends to start the assembly of the EX2 under SKD regime by the end of the year. It will arrive updated, with a larger battery, improvements in the interior finish and a more robust ADAS package. The nationalization of the EX5 EM-i was not ruled out with this change of plans.
GAC
The brand confirmed that it will make cars at the HPE plant in Catalão (GO) (Photo: GAC | Disclosure)
GAC signed an agreement with HPE Automotores to use the idle capacity of the Catalão (GO) plant, which currently produces only Mitsubishi cars. The brand even sounded out some locations for its own plant, including the state of Amapá.
With this partnership with HPE Automotores GAC can be enabled in the Mover Program. The brand will invest R$ 1.3 billion in the Catalão factory to be able to make its cars there.
The brand will also build a local research and development center to create flex engines and other technologies adapted to Brazilian conditions. What has not yet been said is what GAC’s initial production method will be in Brazil and which models will be nationalized first.
Leapmotor
Leapmotor will be Stellantis’ fourth brand in Goiana (Photo: Stellantis | Disclosure)
The Stellantis group owns 51% of the shares of Leapmotor, a Chinese startup focused on electrified cars. Its operations outside China are managed by the group that owns Fiat and other brands.
Stellantis has already confirmed that Leapmotor cars will be made at the Goiana (PE) plant in 2026. They will be made under the SKD regime, gradually evolving into CKD until reaching actual nationalized production.
The most quoted model to start this is the C10 SUV, which will leave the Pernambuco factory already with a face-lift. It will be accompanied by the B10 and C16.
MG Motor
MG4 Urban will begin to be made at Pace’s multi-brand plant by the end of the year (Photo: Eduardo Rodrigues | AutoPapo)
MG Motor is a British brand that today belongs to the Chinese SAIC. It confirmed that it will assemble the MG4 Urban model at PACE’s multi-brand plant in Horizonte (CE), under the SKD regime by the end of 2026.
This plant currently assembles Chevrolet’s Chinese electric cars, the Spark EUV and the Captiva EV. For now, MG Motor has not yet presented plans to have its own factory in Brazil.
Omoda & Jaecoo
Chery Global has returned to Brazil with Omoda & Jaecoo, a duo of brands created with a focus on exports. From the beginning, it signaled its intention to produce cars locally.
The company is negotiating the purchase of the Jaguar Land Rover plant in Itatiaia (RJ). For now, the deal is not yet finalized, but negotiations have already taken place between the Chinese and the city hall.
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