We recently attended a media launch of a new vehicle (details to come) where GWM told us it is setting itself a sales target of 50,000 for 2025 in Australia, while it also hopes to improve its market share in New Zealand.
To achieve this goal, GWM plans to introduce seven new models in 2025, including the recently driven Cannon and Haval H6 GT PHEV. This will be followed by a new Tank 300 diesel, Cannon Alpha PHEV and a new H6 (likely a PHEV) in the second quarter of 2025.
GWM believe PHEVs will play a major role in its future, with recently appointed chief operating officer John Kett stating; “EV adoption lags PHEV in general, we think PHEV will be ahead of EV over time.”
So expect to see yet more PHEV variants to come, with GWM offering five hybrids, four plug-in hybrids and at least one EV.
The medium-sized SUV, Haval H7, also known as the Big Dog in other markets, is planned for the third quarter and will get a hybrid powertrain. The H7 shares its platform with the H6 and H6 GT but features a more rugged off-road design. It has added ground clearance, shorter front and rear overhangs, plastic wheel flares, roof rails and circular headlights, which all plays into the off-road theme. H7 will get a few additional four-wheel drive features, making it more capable off-road than the H6.
Lastly, in the fourth quarter of 2025, expect a new Tank 500 PHEV. Details are unknown, but expect an impressive EV range similar to the 180km range found in the new H6 GT PHEV.
Last year, GWM was the eighth best-selling vehicle in Australia and third overall in hybrid sales. GWM believes that offering a selection of petrol, diesel, hybrid, PHEV and electric vehicles as a key part of building on that success, giving customers choice and acquiring a larger market share. 2026 will be another busy year with seven additional models planned, including expanding the electric Ora range.
Head of marketing and communications Steve Maciver, stated, “There are some OEMs coming to market banking on 100% of EV, and that’s fine, that’s their strategy. But the strategy for GWM is we want to democratise technology, we want to give our customers choice. If we can enrich our model mix with more plug-in hybrids, more EVs and more hybrids in the mix, which we’re confident we can do, we can offset that to make sure we can continue to sell internal combustion engines as well.”
GWM is also committing to improving the ride and handling of its cars, following in the footsteps of KIA and Hyundai with an Australian engineering program to fine-tune their cars’ steering, ride and handling for Australian and New Zealand roads and driving styles.
GWM has yet to decide whether it will set up an engineering department within the current GWM Australia and New Zealand infrastructure or partner with a local tuning house. GWM wants to identify how a GWM should ride and handle, injecting more refinement and character into its products.
Some of you may have noticed in late 2024, that GWM dropped the Haval badging on the rear tailgate of Haval models like the H6 GT, switching to black GWM lettering across the tailgate with blacked-out model name badges. This move was to further emphasise their GWM master brand strategy with sub-brands Haval, Tank, Cannon and Ora the dedicated EV brand sitting under GWM . Maciver stated, “We’re working very, very hard to make the GWM brand more distinctive, more recognisable, and more local.”
