Haval H6 Hybrid begins production at former Holden Colorado plant in Thailand
A state-of-the-art production line will start producing the hybrid Haval SUV, which could eventually come to Australia.
GWM brand Haval has begun production at its new 'smart factory' in Thailand, which is understood to have previously built the Holden Colorado for the Australian market.
Haval will manufacture its new H6 Hybrid SUV for right-hand-drive markets at the facility, but the company's local arm says it won't be bringing those vehicles to Australia for the time being.
The Chinese car maker says the plant has the ability to produce 80,000 vehicles each year, of which 40 per cent will be built for exporting, with the Rayong plant to be GWM's "production base for [right-hand-drive] vehicles in Southeast Asia".
Despite few global right-hand-drive markets, the company has yet to confirm the vehicle for Down Under, with a spokesperson for Haval Australia telling Drive: "At this stage, there are no plans for GWM products for Australia to come out of the newly-opened Rayong plant in Thailand."
But while the H6 Hybrid is officially "under consideration" for Australia, sources have previously told Drive the vehicle will be part of the Haval line-up locally, and could arrive before the end of 2021.
"Today’s event marks an important milestone in GWM’s globalization strategy, realising our expansion into [Southeast Asia], especially into markets for right-hand-drive vehicles," GWM ASEAN & Thailand president Elliot Zhang said at the plant's opening.
Australia's two best-selling models, the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger utes, are both built in Thailand.