Chinese GWM sets a new standard for aftersales in Brazil

From the outset, GWM aimed to make spare parts and aftersales services a key part of their core offering. Achieving this required a unique approach to logistics, guided by a thorough assessment of their product's entire lifecycle.

GWM's Head of Planning Logistics & International Trade, Thiago de Souza Potenza explains. “When we did the scope, we wanted to work with a well-renowned global supplier with good facilities in a well-connected location. DSV delivered on this by offering a logistics hub close to São Paulo with shared warehousing in Cajamar.”

This is a radically different approach to that taken by conventional automotive brands who generally use an exclusive warehouse facility for their spare parts. However, by sharing the warehouse with other OEMs, GWM had the scalability needed to fuel their growth journey.

The synergy we had in the DSV set-up with the other OEMs was important. At the start we didn’t have a high volume of distribution, so it would have been a high freight cost to deliver our freight alone. But by working with other OEMs, we can share distribution and benefit from greater efficiency, that has kept costs down.

Thiago de Souza Potenza, Head of Planning Logistics & International Trade, GWM

Another reason that GWM chose to work with DSV was the shared focus on sustainability. GWM holds the principle of “green production and sustainable development” and wanted a supplier with the same mindset. They were impressed by DSV’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 supported by a decarbonisation roadmap to turn this ambition into a reality.

The success of the partnership between DSV and Great Wall Motors is based on continued dialogue and an unwavering focus on supporting growth.

GWM’s COO in Brazil, Diego Fernandes, acknowledges the strength of the relationship. “Our partnership has changed the mindset of the market by establishing a new benchmark in the GWM organisation for aftersales operations. Growing at the speed we have, there will always be issues, but DSV has met these with flexibility and maintained a strong focus on providing solutions that support our growth trajectory.”

GWM is just one of DSV’s many clients in the automotive sector. Globally, our clients include 70% of the automobile manufacturers on the Forbes Global 500 rankings and 85% of the suppliers on the Automotive News World Top 100 Supplier rankings.