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As one of the biggest Chinese role players in the South African market, Great Wall Motor's colossal stand at this year's Shanghai Auto Show was of major significance for our local market, writes Media24's Marnus Hattingh.
Taking up nearly one-half of one of the eight exhibition halls, Great Wall Motors dedicated ample space to all three of its big nameplates, namely Tank, Ora and Poer (P Series, in our market).
GWM will be more of a holding company name in the future, with Tank, Ora and Poer taking up the role of brand names for its different market strategies. Tank thus is aimed at its 4x4 lifestyle and off-road vehicles, Ora will cater for all its EVs, 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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Currently, there are no plans to bring in Wey models to our market, but as always, anything is possible. If the rand makes a comeback, and South Africa's appetite for Chinese vehicles grows beyond merely a value-based buy to an aspiring buy, Wey could become an option.
For now, Ora, Tank and the P Series bakkies are the company's next big targets.
All new Ora
There are three new Ora EVs, with the ridiculous sounding names of Funky Cat, Lightning Cat and Bridal Cat (a VW Beetle lookalike). The Funky Cat is coming soon, which could disrupt our electric market pleasantly as it would become our cheapest EV available. The little Ora is a cute little Nissan Micra lookalike with easy steering, city mall-friendly dimensions and a decent 350km range.
Haval is still negotiating with China, and the rand doesn't play ball. But if they can bring it in at around R600 000, it would make a great proposition to our market. The Mini SE is currently our cheapest EV at around R745 000, but the little Cat would easily undercut that price tag. Plus, the Mini only has an effective range of 140km, whereas the Ora has 350km.
Here's the stinger: If the rand were trading at R16/euro and not the current R20/euro, a price tag of around R499 000 would have been possible.
The bigger four-door coupe with its Panamera-rear end and Mini headlights, the Lightning Cat, is under consideration. But the odd styling would count against it.
The Tank 300
The Tank name may be unknown to South Africans, but seeing how outdoorsy we are, it's a no-brainer to bring it in. A couple of models are available, but just the mid-size Tank 300 would be making the trek to our shores before the end of the year.
The Tank 300 is similar to the Jeep Wrangler but less brutish in design. It has a ladder frame chassis, full-on 4x4 traction and even a low-range gearbox. We'll get the 2.0-litre petrol turbo, but there's also a hybrid in China.
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Haval is also eyeing the larger Tank 500. This bigger off-roader would be a direct competitor to the Nissan Patrol and Toyota Land Cruiser. There was a model shown at the show with a 3.0 litre V6-biturbo (260kW, 500Nm), low range capability and air suspension, to name a few features. It sure looks impressive for an off-road luxobarge, but market perception would be key here for its success.
Ballooning bakkie line-up
With the leisure bakkie market growing rapidly all over the world, it is no wonder that GWM is pouring so many resources into its ballooning bakkie line-up.
The group showed its updated P Series in Shanghai and the giant Shangan Cannon, an American-sized bakkie currently not viewed for the SA market as one would need a Code 10 licence to drive it.
The updated P Series has a new grill, bigger air intakes in the front, a new steering wheel and a nifty swing-out ladder-step built into the rear bumper. Inside, a new touchscreen and softer materials for all the tactile points complete the makeover.
Haval has a couple of aces up its sleeve concerning affordable mobility; all encased in modern designs and futuristic interiors. It would be interesting to see the market's reaction to the new Tank off-road brand, as the Chinese have no heritage of off-roaders like the Western manufacturers. The Ora will be a game-changer; the P Series bakkies will churn along, while the new Tank-models could surprise.
The Chinese automotive landscape
The newness of the Chinese automotive landscape becomes clear when one sits in an interview with their team leaders. At the Shanghai 2023 Auto Show, we had the privilege to talk with the leader of the Poer-brand for bakkies.
There is currently no plan to build a Fortuner or Everest type of model, said the team. That is, an SUV based on the ladder frame of the current bakkie, as Toyota, Ford, and Mitsubishi do with great success.
Neither are there any plans for special styling packages, as we are used to with the GR-S Hilux and the Ranger Stormtrak and Wildtrak. And lastly, no, there are no plans for a Ranger Raptor type of performance bakkie.
It all could change in the near future, of course. But currently, the Chinese still regard a bakkie as a utilitarian vehicle rather than a leisure and lifestyle vehicle, as the West does. Motoring in China is a new thing and is used for mobility. People don't buy cars for long weekend trips to the sea, or to tow a boat or go off-roading over the weekend. A bakkie must carry a load, and a car must bring you to your office.
The differences are not wrong; it's clear how history has shaped their views on cars.
