Why GWM thinks pricier, extra premium SUVs might be winners for Australia


GWM has left the door broad open for much more costly SUVs because it continues to dramatically develop its lineup.

“In the meanwhile our flagship is Tank 500. We need to develop these markets correctly, develop these markets into a much bigger quantity,” GWM Australia and New Zealand managing director Charles Zhao instructed CarExpert.

“And likewise within the meantime not solely the merchandise, however we’re additionally specializing in buyer satisfaction.

“Within the coming one yr time we gained’t have this far more costly automotive in Australia, however the doorways are open for these dearer vehicles. These fashions gained’t be quantity fashions, the 700, 800.

“However perhaps after we’re seeing the continual, regular progress of the market, extra market share, higher buyer satisfaction, we could contemplate it.

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“We need to concentrate on 300 and 500 within the brief time period, and never the 400 or 700 in the intervening time within the brief time period. That’s [in] one-year time.”

The corporate has beforehand mentioned if the enterprise case was made for the Tank 700, it might take 6-9 months to launch right here.

Whereas merchandise from Nice Wall Motor’s premium Wey model have been dominated out for Australia, the newer Tank model has continued to stretch upmarket.

The glitzy Tank 800 has but to be revealed, however was previewed in idea guise in 2021. It’s set to prime the Tank model, which is offered in Australia as a sub-brand below the GWM nameplate.

The Tank 400 and Tank 700 are already on sale in China. Each function an identical angular design language, which contrasts them with the extra conservative, chrome-laden Tank 500 and boxy Tank 300.

“I query I’d [pose] is how far are clients keen to go when it comes to shopping for a GWM,” mentioned Steve Maciver, GWM Australia and New Zealand’s head of selling and communications.

“What we’ve seen over the previous 3 or 4 years, common promoting value of a GWM in 2020 was about $23,000. That’s now north of $40,000 in a reasonably brief time period.

“The common promoting value of GWM is constantly shifting up, which tells us clients are warming to what we’re doing, they just like the product, they nonetheless see the worth, and we’ve to check that with the fitting product.

“We take the time to try this. We’re not in a rush to essentially herald dearer merchandise, but when there’s product there we expect has received demand in Australia, we’ll definitely take a look at it.

“No matter value level, worth remains to be an important issue for any automotive model. I’d argue definitely for us it’s very core to what we do.

“It doesn’t imply to say that you may’t supply extra premium merchandise when it comes to how they current and the way they’re priced, however the worth nonetheless must be there for the buyer.

“If the buyer sees that, whether or not it’s a Jolion at $25k, or whether or not it’s one other Tank at $90k, $95k, so long as the worth is there for the client we expect the worth level might be much less necessary however there are merchandise there that would probably stretch that.”

The most costly GWM mannequin in Australia proper now could be the Tank 500 Extremely Hybrid, priced at $73,990 drive-away.

It’s getting a plug-in hybrid choice throughout 2025 that can doubtless be pricier nonetheless.

Ought to the Tank 700 and Tank 800 come right here, they might virtually definitely be much more costly.

The plug-in hybrid Tank 700 went on sale in China earlier this yr, packing a 265kW/560Nm turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine mated to a 120kW/400Nm electrical motor, a nine-speed computerized transmission, and a 37.1kWh ternary lithium battery.

Whole system outputs are 385kW and 800Nm, with 90km of electrical vary on the WLTC cycle.

The five-seat SUV is 5090mm lengthy, 2061mm broad and 1952mm tall on a 3000mm wheelbase.

For reference, a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Collection measures as much as 5015mm lengthy, 2000mm broad and 1950mm tall on a 2850mm wheelbase.

Wading depth is 900mm, or 970mm with the obtainable air springs.

The Tank 400 is a extra reasonably priced SUV, which as its nameplate suggests slots between the smaller Tank 300 and bigger Tank 500 in pricing in its residence market.

It measures 4985mm lengthy, 1960mm broad and 1905mm tall on a 2850mm wheelbase.

It’s additionally obtainable completely with a plug-in hybrid powertrain in China, nonetheless this makes use of a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.

The engine produces 180kW and 380Nm, and is mated with a 120kW/400Nm electrical motor for complete system outputs of 300kW and 750Nm.

It additionally contains a nine-speed computerized transmission and a 37.1kWh ternary lithium battery.

This powertrain is shared with the Tank 500.

MORE: 2024 GWM Tank 700 overview: Fast drive



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