A plant for the production of robotic gearboxes has started operating in Russia. It was opened by the Chinese automotive group Great Wall Motor (GWM) on the territory of its complex in the Uzlovaya industrial park in the Tula region. The new production facility occupies 35,000 sq. m and is designed for more than 180,000 transmissions per year. Gearboxes are produced here in a full cycle – from thermal and mechanical processing of key parts to the assembly of the finished unit.
The assembly process is 86% automated, and individual production and logistics operations are up to 92%. About 500 jobs have been created at the new enterprise. GWM President Mu Feng stated that the launch of the plant does not mean the completion of construction, but the beginning of a new stage of development and strengthening of the concern's presence in Russia.
The production of transmissions will become part of the large Haval complex for the production of auto components. Its construction is planned to be completed in 2027. The total area of the complex will be 130,000 sq. m. For comparison, the territory of the company's main production in the Uzlovaya industrial park currently exceeds 190,000 sq. m.
Deputy Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Albert Karimov noted that the capacities created by Haval will be able to provide transmissions not only to the enterprise itself but also to other market participants. According to him, investments in production amounted to about 30 billion rubles.
Haval has been producing cars in the Tula region in a full cycle, including welding, painting, and assembly, since 2019. During this time, more than 500,000 cars have rolled off the assembly line. Currently, the plant produces six models: Haval Jolion, F7/F7x, Dargo, H3, and H7. Its capacity is about 150,000 cars per year.
In 2024, an engine plant opened on the territory of the main production, and in August 2025, the company launched a workshop for machining parts for them. Obligations for the development of engine and transmission production were enshrined in a special investment contract that Haval concluded with the Russian government in 2020. At that time, the company's investment volume was fixed at 42 billion rubles.
Sergey Udalov, Executive Director of "Autostat", believes that the production of key components and assemblies for cars in Russia gives the company advantages in forming the cost of cars and strengthens the manufacturer's position in the Russian market. According to him, the production of parts within the country simplifies the supply of spare parts and allows for better adaptation of the model range to operating conditions.