As one of the major Chinese players in the South African market, Great Wall Motor’s colossal stand at this year’s Shanghai Motor Show was of great importance to our local market, writes Media24. Marnus Hattingh.
Taking up almost half of one of the eight showrooms, Great Wall Motors devoted ample space to its three big nameplates, namely Tank, Ora and Poer (P Series, in our market).
GWM will be more of a holding company name going forward, with Tank, Ora and Poer taking on the role of brands for their different market strategies. Tank, therefore, is aimed at their 4×4 and off-road lifestyle, Ora will handle all their electric vehicles, and Poer will be the Bakkie range. The Haval name will be used for family vehicles, with Wey reserved for a new line of luxury vehicles.
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There are currently no plans to bring Wey models to our market, but as always, anything is possible. If the rand bounces back, and South Africa’s appetite for Chinese vehicles grows beyond a simple value-based purchase to an aspirational purchase, Wey could become an option.
For now, Ora, Tank and the P series bakkies are the company’s next big targets.
Auto Shanghai 2023
News 24Marnus Hattingh
All new Ora
There are three new Ora EVs, with the ridiculous names of Funky Cat, Lightning Cat and Bridal Cat (a VW Beetle lookalike). The Funky Cat is coming soon, which could pleasantly disrupt our electric market as it would become our cheapest electric vehicle available. The little Ora is a nice little Nissan Micra with easy steering, mall-friendly dimensions and a decent 350km range.
Haval is still negotiating with China, and the rand is not playing ball. But if they can bring it to around R600,000, it would be a great proposition for our market. The Mini SE is currently our cheapest electric vehicle at around R745,000, but the little Cat would easily undercut that price. Also, the Mini only has an effective range of 140 km, while the Ora has 350 km.
Here’s the kicker: if the rand was trading at R16/euro rather than the current R20/euro, a price of around R499,000 would have been possible.
The larger four-door coupe with its Panamera rear end and Mini headlights is being considered, the Lightning Cat. But the odd style would count against it.
Now Funky Cat
News 24Marnus Hattingh
The 300 tank
The tank name may be unfamiliar to South Africans, but seeing as how outdoorsy we are, it’s a no-brainer to wear. There are a couple of models available, but only the mid-sized Tank 300 would make its way to our shores. before the end of the year.
The Tank 300 is similar to the Jeep Wrangler, but with a less brutal design. It has a ladder chassis, full 4×4 and even a low-end gearbox. We’ll get the 2.0-litre petrol turbo, but there’s also a hybrid in China.
READ ALSO | Flexing its muscles: Haval SA’s latest foray into the market: the Tank 300 hybrid SUV
Haval also looks at the larger Tank 500. This larger SUV would be a direct competitor to the Nissan Patrol and Toyota Land Cruiser. A model was shown at the show with a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo (260kW, 500Nm), low-end capability and air suspension, to name a few features. It sure looks impressive for an all-terrain luxobarge, but market perception would be key to its success.
Haval’s burly new Tank 300 boasts impressive 4×4 systems and a host of amenities.
suppliedfriend
Lineup of balloon bakkies
With the leisure bakkies market growing rapidly worldwide, it’s no wonder that GWM is pouring so many resources into its line of balloon bakkies.
The group showed off its updated P Series in Shanghai and the giant Shangan Cannon, an American-sized bakkie currently unseen for the SA market as a Code 10 license would be required to drive it.
The updated P-series has a new grille, larger air intakes at the front, a new steering wheel and a swinging step integrated into the rear bumper. Inside, a new touchscreen and softer materials for all touch points complete the makeover.
Haval has a couple of aces up its sleeve when it comes to affordable mobility; all fitted into modern designs and futuristic interiors. It would be interesting to see the market reaction to the new off-road brand Tank, as the Chinese have no off-road heritage like the western manufacturers. Ora will be a game changer; the P-Series bakkies will move, while the new tank models could surprise.
The Chinese automobile landscape
The newness of the Chinese auto landscape becomes apparent when one sits down for an interview with its team leaders. At the 2023 Shanghai Motor Show, we had the privilege of speaking with the Poer brand leader for bakkies.
There are currently no plans to build a Fortuner or Everest-type model, the team said. That is, an SUV based on the scale frame of the current bakkie, as Toyota, Ford and Mitsubishi do with great success.
There are also no plans for special styling packages, as we’re used to with the GR-S Hilux and the Ranger Stormtrak and Wildtrak. And finally, no, there are no plans for a Ranger Raptor-type performance bakkie.
That could all change in the near future, of course. But currently, the Chinese still consider a bakkie as a utility vehicle rather than a leisure and lifestyle vehicle, as the West does. The motor in China is a new thing and it is used for mobility. People don’t buy cars for long weekend trips to the ocean, or to tow a boat or go off-roading for the weekend. A bakkie has to carry a load and a car has to take you to your office.
The differences are not bad; it’s clear how history has shaped his views on cars.
