GWM, or Great Wall Motor, began in China in 1984 as a truck manufacturer. It made its name building tough, affordable utes for rural buyers. By the early 2000s, it had launched the original Great Wall V240 and X240 SUVs in overseas markets, including Australia.
After a shaky start here, GWM restructured and returned with a broader lineup. The brand now includes the GWM Ute and the Haval SUV range. These models are aimed at value-focused buyers who still want modern tech and safety. Local operations are now run by GWM Australia, based in Melbourne.
GWM has poured money into electrification, too. Its Ora EV hatchback recently joined the range, with more hybrids and EVs on the way. It’s not a premium player, but GWM is gaining ground thanks to sharp pricing, long warranties and improving build quality. It’s now one of the top-selling Chinese carmakers in Australia.
GWM lists a canopy for the Ultra version of its Cannon Ute. And while it also lists a bullbar for the Cannon Ute, it doesn’t specifically mention whether it’s suitable for the Ultra. There may be some body or trim differences that make it unsuitable for the Ultra, so a check with your GWM dealer would be the next step.
The aftermarket also has lots of suppliers who offer both canopies and bull-bars for a huge range of makes and models, so there’s almost certainly something available there, too.
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A weird, random grinding noise at low speeds when taking off can sometimes be a result of the anti-lock brakes. It can be a surprise initially, but it doesn’t usually last more than a second or so and is caused by the braking system more or less calibrating itself for the journey ahead. It can also occur in reverse and is usually nothing to worry about.
But you should also probably look further than the braking system. Any grinding or rattling noise can be something as simple as a heat-shield vibrating, or as serious as a major flaw in the transmission or suspension. Either way, it needs to be diagnosed and fixed.
Don’t take no as an answer from the dealership, and don’t be afraid to tackle GWM’s Australian customer service division if you’re not getting anywhere. If there is a problem, then it’s very possibly a warranty issue and is GWM’s problem to fix.
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Yes it is. All engines use a small amount of oil, but recently, car makers have started using low-tension piston rings to reduce internal friction and save fuel. In turn, that means some modern engines consume a bit more oil than some older engine designs. That has led some car owners, more used to seeing very small levels of oil consumption, to become concerned when their new car consumes more oil than their old one. But this is pretty normal and the fuel saving is deemed worth the trade off.
Your level of oil consumption is absolutely normal and is no cause for concern. As with any car, however, it pays to keep an eye on the dipstick between services, as modern, low-friction engines and ever-longer service intervals mean some have ben caught out with an empty sump before the next service is due. Checking the oil every month is a good idea; checking it every week is an even better one. What you’re looking for is a change to the usual oil consumption rate, as well as making sure the oil is between the low and full marks on the dipstick.
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