Great Wall Motors to expand range

By David Twomey | August 25th, 2009

Australia’s first Chinese automotive importer, Great Wall Motors, certainly seem s to be building a sales foundation, and has announced plans to add three more vehicles to its range.

Two Great Wall twin cab utilities were launched onto the Australian and New Zealand markets in late June by local importer Ateco Automotive, and since then they have been selling as quickly as they can be supplied.

The entry level SA220 is priced at $19,990 while the up-market 2WD V240 is $23,990 on road, add $3000 to that if you want the 4WD version.

Official VFACTS industry figures show Great Wall achieved 274 retail sales in July, but a spokesman for Ateco Automotive, the importer of Great Wall, has advised that dealers actually took more than 300 new orders during their first full trading month.

Ateco says the existing imports will be supplemented in coming months by new models including a well-appointed mid-sized SUV, an economical small sedan and single cab versions of the current utilities.

All are expected to be on sale in Australia before the end of the year and further enhancements to the line-up including an eagerly awaited turbo diesel engine are also in the pipeline.

Great Wall launched with 43 dealers in Australia and six in New Zealand, but the dealer network is growing as Ateco works steadily through its appointment processes.

An Ateco spokesperson said the greatest short-term challenge facing existing Great Wall dealers is finding stock for their showrooms as they meet and exceed sales targets months ahead of expectations.

Great Wall availability is expected to improve soon as increased orders of freshly produced vehicles enter the country, while dealer willingness to embrace a forward ordering system has helped Ateco to better match supply to actual individual model demand.

According to Ateco’s Managing Director, Mr Ric Hull, “No one here is getting carried away at this early stage, but we are greatly encouraged by the initial success of Great Wall’s products and the enthusiasm of our dealer netwo

Ranil

I’m sure many will look at GWM and laugh… for having a silly name, for having a substandard product, for being Chinese made…

And all that is warranted.

But companies like these are going to be the Hyundais in a decade’s time. Which in turn means that they’ll be the Toyotas and Mazdas in two decade’s time.

LessQQ

Please go back to high-school and learn some history.

It took the Americans a century to industrialise their country. The Chinese did it in 30.

Don’t apply old data to new models.

China will be considerably faster in terms of efficiency and progression than America, Europeans, Koreans and Japanese.

Simply because of their HUGE production. If a car manufacturer makes 3 mill cars a year compared to one who only makes 200k/yr, the one who mass produces more will progress faster. And make no mistake, China is #1 at mass production of any kind.

http://fiesta Hu Fuk Lee

chinese pride worldwide brother

http://Caradvice.com.au Baddass

The headlights of the SA220 are a direct D20 Navara rip-off.

The Oracle’s Teacher

The whole front end is. China don’t recognise copyright. Go to Malaysia and you will see ripoff Chinese cars all over the place. Even Bentley ripoffs.

Shak

The first car looks a bit prado-ish in the front end. But if they can offer safe and reliable product(which i doubt they can) then they deserve to make sales. Hey at least they sold more then companies like Morgan and Elfin.
o

Renil hyundais are alreday on par with toyota have a look at the new tuscon/ix35 it looks amazing
S3

Baddass – you aren’t suggesting the Chinese copy other cars are you?
Reckless1

The X240 in the first picture looks a bit Mitsubishi, but it actually looks OK in the photo.
JooberGTi

If you copy copy and copy you are bound to get something at least right..

I think in a decades time, it will be the Chinese and Indians who will battle out the budget car market.

The Oracle’s Teacher

Don’t forget Proton.

Gan Tan

LOL! Good joke

Tony

do they actually have an automatic transmission?

so far i haven’t seen an automatic Hover anywhere

this is a problem as automatic softroaders are aussie as meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars…

actually Holdens aren’t that ‘aussie’ any more

also this is a real body on frame SUV I believe? please correct me if I’m wrong

if you go onto Youtube you can see the Hover do some offroading I wouldn’t DREAM of putting a CRV or Xtrail or Forrester through
binladen

Well done Great Wall. Keep on going..!!
Shak

Why does someone have to bring Holden into this.

gary

because thw wingle has the back of a rodeo.

Great wall build there car like other cars that are already out. This is what they do, they choose popular design cars and put them together and put a mitsu engine into it and make the interour look good also safety pack etc. Thats how most of the great wall cars are.

binladen

JoberGTI
In five years, the big battle will between German, Japan and China, but not in the budge range!! It will have nothing to do with India which will be squeezed out I believe! Koreans will has a much smaller share!
XR2/XR8

the twincab from the A pillar back looks like an older rodeo first 2.6 model
Alex

There are going to be so many black ones with chrome wheels and P plates around…
azza85

Any ANCAP safety ratings?
Philthy

Scored 3 stars in C-NCAP according to the internets. Better than 0 but still not good enough for 2009 IMHO.

LessQQ

why’s that?

because all the other cars are 3 stars as well, bar lux & vara.

Lil Red Rooster

Hey guys how about we leave all the comparisons and bagging of Great Wall aye ? Havn’t we allready been there by the boatload.
Good luck to them I say, goodness give em a fair go would ya !
Do you understand that they are a big car makers and have been going for a fair while, and have you heard any horror stories ??????????????????????
You lot call the poms whingers, have a look at yerselves.
Ashes anyone ???????????????????????
Mike

Well we had to give you the ashes, otherwise…

..we woulda copped a fair whinge from you lot
smokin’R32

This company is a disgrace
Wheelnut®™

The 4×4 in the top picture looks like a Toyota Prado / Landcruiser.. and I suspect will cost what the Prado would / should if it didn’t have the Toyota badge on it!

gary

the 4×4 aka HOVER has the front of the previous shape kluger and the back of honda HR-V’s

Shak

Mikes right….
Toxic_Horse

I would consider the duel cab 4×4
Gary

A bit information about Great Wall Hover suv from wiki:

The gasoline Great Wall Hover uses a Mitsubishi 4G64 engine, a Sirius series straight-4 automobile engine. The 4G64 engine and was introduced in 1988 the Mitsubishi Galant and has been used in several other car manufactures. The 4G64 engine produces 128 bhp. The diesel version uses a motor built by Great Wall themselves, the GW2.8TC. Both versions have a 5-gear manual transmission.

Wheelbase 2700 mm (106.3 in)
Length 4620 mm (181.9 in)
Width 1800 mm (70.9 in)
Height 1710 mm (67.3 in)
Curb weight 1720 kg (3792 lb)

Gilly

The roots of the 4G motors go way back to the Sigma Astron days with the later turbo versions used in the EVO Lancers ! The version in the Galant/Lancers are an incredibly strong and bullet proof engine considered in the aftermarket tuning scene to be comparable to the Nissan FJ 20!
If GWM is using this engine then good choice, apart from its low output the service life of this engine is bound to be as good as anything from the competition.
I wonder if an older Evo head/turbo combo could be bolted on? A 2.4 stroker Turbo would solve the power issue!

The General

I checked out the Great Wall utes out on the weekend, they are similar looking/feel/smell/taste to a late 90′s Japanese Ute.

The quality fit and finish surprised me, its very very good quailty/finish, MUCH better than the poor-quality-indian-mahindra [cake] pikup.

The seats are LEATHER i think its the first i have ever seen that in a dual cab.

GreatWall is going to be kicking butt with good quaility at a low price, selling really well.

Even if you don’t like them, it keeps the other brands/makes lower compete prices

Kip

The Oracle’s Teacher

Yep the seats are leather. Cheap leather and they look like vinyl.

Joe

Saw the Great Wall 4×4 crew cab on the weekend, seemed a little light on for a work horse. When does a decent turbo diesel come into Aus.

gary

June 2010

If u want one i will have it

255 hume highway

Adam

“I checked out the Great Wall utes out on the weekend, they are similar looking/feel/smell/taste to a late 90’s Japanese Ute.”

What are you talking about, re the V240? It looked pretty good to me.

Its basically a slightly lower trimmed ute the same as the Rodeo that came out in 2004 and is still being sold with some minor upgrades right now as a Holden Colorado and Isuzu dMax in 2009! A Colorado in this kind of trim would be about $40000, hard to be exact because a Colorado 4×4 LT-R only comes in a diesel and V6.

Its clearly not a “Copy”, they would have bought the right to make it, just like Proton made old Mitsubishi’s etc. The difference is that its built to the quality control of Great Wall in China and not GM in Thailand.

Pitty they don’t have a Turbo Diesel option, but other than that it sees like great value.
elfin

I curious, how many people will die by this chinese car?
Androo King

I would buy one. Reason, they are cheap and have a good warranty. I would never buy an BMW X6 or a Porsche Cayenne 4wd even if I had loads of money, because I am not a personalised number plated “look at me ” knob like you see everywhere. Nobody would “key” my GW as they would see that the owner is not a greedy self centred bragger. Stuff made in china wil grow in quality and reputation as the Jap cars have.
Androo King

Dale Shearer nearly died in a $150k German 4wd, so spare us the safety lecture elfin
farkaus

At least the chinese have a car industry… look at these inbred australian country bumpkins who think they are relevant in the world.

thank god for bush fires and bali bombings.. somethings gotta cull these redneck bogans…

mazz

that is the most sadest most unaustralian thing to say if u have a problem with us (excuse the expletive) go and &@#$ jump!!
Shak

Mate we inbred Australians will have you know we are the worlds largest exporter of minerals and agriculture, and if it werent for these whatever patch of dirt you call home would not exist. So take that from an inbred Aussie. I’ll also have you know we are responsible for some of the worlds innovations.
toxic_horse

Mate, I dare you to give me your address !!
LessQQ

you forgot descendants of convicts!

lol you export minerals to other countries who can actually turn them into something useful, which then gets sold right back to Aus, must be a great feeling.

mazz

the v240 and x240 are quite unique looking vehicles and i don agree with some of the earlier commennts about the shape of the x240 having “the front of a kluger” it shares no resemblance what-so-ever. the interior trim is of high quality and finish. i have concerns that it would be underpowered altough have no test driven it yet. im waiting for a turbo diesel version to come out in au
http://bsestainless@gmail.com david

hello all i bought a great wall v240 ute in november 20th 09 i have done over 18000klms to date with back loads of 1tonne hauling steel and glass for my job i have found this ute to be great.to be honest hate the name dont realy like the front look but if you put it up against toyota $50.000 holden $39.000 mitsa $39.000 to do the same job for $24.000 its got my vote and i will be buying the suv for my wife in 3 weeks so for all of you who complain about china cars you better start walking because holden is being developed over there and most of other car companys parts are being made there or you could buy a bike no wait there all made there too bugger.ps putting in a pool with my savings.
wolfman

I looked at the 240 model and would have bought one on the spot except they didn’t have a diesel version.I was told there was one on its way but unsure of the engine size or when it will arrive in Aus, maybe June ? If they could give me the details I would probably hang off,but so far I’m tired of chasing them up for info. Look’s like I’ll end up buying the Isuzu or Ford/Mazda twin cab diesel.

http://bsestainless@gmail.com david

try holden mornigton vic they were very easy to deal with and good service and new alot about these cars hope this helps david
Gerry

I agree with you the moment they come out with a diesel version I will be there to purchase one, due to retire in 18 mths so hope it will be out then as want to hook up with caravan and tour Australia.

Duncan

Would be interesting to know when the Diesel Ute is being launched in Aus and what cost…at the right price point ie under $30k driveaway…as a city runaround/weekend warrior …this baby will be awesome and I would buy one…
johno

I’m looking to buy a new Ute just been to grate wall dealer $17,995 not cheap enuf for poor quality for $21,999 you can get a Mazda turbo diesel. grate wall do have a place in the Australian market but with what i have seen today they are goner have to drop there price,s to $15 to 16k
JP

Currently have an X5 but would definitely sell that for a GW dual cab – if it drives well and (to keep the missus happy) comes in auto! If so, I’m there already…
RW

Just been and had a look at the GW range, impressed with the finish and price, engine seems a bit under done, but there is plenty of room to grow, maybe to V6 or small Turbo,I am seriously considering trading the Hilux in on one these utes, have you seen the size of the tray, has any owner got some more feed back on performance and reliability.

Eric

With a 2 star ANCAP saftey rating.

Drive very carefully and pull over if there is traffic around incase they make a mistake and crash into you.

Eric
Baddass

Don’t do it mate, the Hilux is streets ahead in quality, reliability and parts availability. Hang onto your Hilux; it’ll still be serving you faithfully for another 10 years at least.
Cranky Franky

Dude stop taking drugs. Great Wall arn’t Great. Why do you think that they won’t let anyone review them.

v240

The v240 for the price is an awesome purchase, yes it only has 2 stars but u can go pay $10000 more at mazda for an extra star, if you want a ute for cheap which comes with 3yrs/100000kms go nuts mate. good stuff i recon.