Windrose chooses Belgium for European electric truck expansion

Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Windrose, a Chinese electric truck manufacturer, plans its European headquarters and workshop in Zele, creating 3,000 jobs. Antwerp port will host a factory producing 10,000 trucks annually by 2027.

Chinese electric truck manufacturer Windrose is preparing to establish its European headquarters and inaugural workshop in Zele (East Flanders). The company calculates approximately 3,000 jobs will be created.

Windrose, a rising Chinese start-up, has developed a profitable electric truck. In late April, CEO Wen Han established a Belgian entity backed by a modest start-up capital of €61,500. This Belgian industry now has its first physical existence with Windrose’s maiden European branch, De Tijd reported. An “operational base” that houses an office and a workshop is set to be created on land belonging to transport company Gilbert De Clercq in Zele. “This marks the first phase of our strategic roadmap and lays the foundation for future expansion,” Han stated.

Why did Windrose choose Zele for its European headquarters?

According to the Windrose founder, the following phase involves relocating their operations to an industrial site in Antwerp’s port location. This location is intended to house analysis and development movements and the assembly factory, where parts imported from China will predominantly be assembled into electric trucks. Han has desired a location in Europe to inaugurate an assembly factory for some time. Antwerp, one of Europe’s key ports, has now appeared as the preferred option. 

What are the economic benefits of Windrose’s expansion plans?

The facility, which will be finished by 2027, aims to deliver around 10,000 electric trucks annually. Alongside the factory and analysis and development centre, Han expects approximately 3,000 jobs will be created, and an acquisition of €300 million will be secured. Furthermore, the CEO expects to construct a battery factory in France.

Moreover, Volvo Car AB has begun to shift manufacturing of Chinese-made electric vehicles to Belgium as the European Union drills to impose tariffs on China-made EVs, the Times conveyed. On top of repositioning production of Volvo’s EX30 and EX90 models to Belgium, the carmaker may also push assembly of some Volvo models bound for the UK, the report stated, citing unnamed people. Volvo, which is possessed by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., is seen as the most revealed among Western automakers to the potential tariffs, the Times said.

Trade conflicts between the EU and China have ushered in a barrage of anti-dumping probes against Beijing amid allegations of unjust subsidies. The EU is anticipated to tell EV makers in China as early as this week whether it will inflict provisional tariffs from July 4 that would raise import duties beyond the current level of 10%. 

Volvo Car rejected the Times’ report, saying “It’s premature to speculate on the importance of what this investigation will finish or any potential measures.” “The decision to also produce the EX30 in Ghent reflects our dream to build our cars where we sell them as much as feasible,” a spokesperson stated in an emailed statement. The additional capacity in Belgium had been heretofore disclosed, according to the company.