DURING the 2024 Chengdu Motor Show, members of the Malaysian media were able to have a quick chat with Great Wall Motor (GWM) International chief executive officer Parker Shi about the company’s goals and intentions on local shores.
At present, Shi said Malaysia needs greater variety for vehicle buyers who are in a lower income group.
“We want to introduce a wide range of GWM’s products in Malaysia that will range from RM100,000 and below,” said Shi.
He explained that Malaysia lacks variety due to protectionism which has hampered the entry of more vehicles from international brands.
“This is so we can provide buyers with more exciting choices through our latest products that have the cutting-edge technologies at lower price points,” he explained.
The CEO further elaborated that for this to happen, they must look beyond sales figures and targets.
Shi.
“For the moment, we are establishing a steady parts supply and this will help us ensure high aftersales standards and doing this will help us (GWM) gain a long-term presence in the country,” he said on behalf of the company.
Although he declined to reveal any specifics, Shi did mention that hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plugin-hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), in his opinion, have begun to gain greater popularity and would continue to do so over the coming years.
Also gaining popularity is the Tank 300 off-roader in Malaysia, which Shi explained that if its uptake improves further, there is a possibility of introducing the mid-range Tank 500.
“And depending on how well the Tank 500 does, then we will consider bringing in the Tank 700,” he said.
Tank 300.
The range-topping Tank 700 was launched in January in China and a right-hand-drive version is currently in the works, which means it should be ready sometime in the second half of 2025.
The Tank 300 is currently being produced alongside the Poer (Cannon) pick-up truck as well as engines, transmissions and other components at the company’s plant in Chong Qing, China, where the company is also headquartered.
The plant was launched five years ago and is manned by more than 10,000 staff members.
With six production lines, the facility can produce up to 500,000 vehicles per year and recently celebrated the roll-off of its one-millionth unit this year.
