China’s Great Wall Motors buys GM’s plant in Rayong

China’s growing influence in Southeast Asia’s automobile industry has taken a major step forward with the acquisition of US car giant General Motors’ Rayong manufacturing plant to Great Wall Motors of China. Sales of Chevrolet vehicle in Thailand will end later this year.
 
Thailand has more than 300,000 Chevrolet customers through its authorised service outlets. Formed in 1984, Great Wall Motors is China's largest sport utility vehicle (SUV) and pick-up truck producer. It sells passenger cars and trucks under the Great Wall brand and SUVs under the Haval and WEY brands.

Great Wall vehicles are available across the globe, including Australia, Europe, the UK and South America. Earlier this year, the company said it would buy GM’s car plant in India as part of its plan to manufacture and sell cars in India.
 
Lookalike controversy
It’s been claimed that some of Great Wall’s car are lookalike copies of other manufacturers’ vehicles. Complaints have come from Italian automaker Fiat as well as Japanese companies Toyota, Nissan and Isuzu.