GWM Haval Reviews

Physical buttons are making a return to cars around the world, but the Chinese government is taking it a step further. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has filed proposals to mandate physical buttons and switches for critical car functions. Multimedia screens, large-area displays and complex head-up displays in cars must undergo mandatory safety checks under the proposals. These tests will measure the impact on driver distraction, reliability in extreme weather and crash performance. The rules take effect for new models from January 1, 2027, with existing models getting the same scrutiny from July 1, 2027. In February 2026, China overtook Japan as the biggest seller of cars in Australia. The China-built BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y have consistently been the two best-selling electric cars in Australia. They feature 15.6-inch and 16.0-inch central touchscreens, respectively. The Model Y’s screen controls virtually all functions, while the touchscreen in the Sealion 7 controls climate as well as vehicle and safety settings. Installing a large screen instead of a series of buttons and switches can save carmakers money. Housing features like this in a touchscreen increases driver distraction, with drivers needing to sift through menus instead of looking at the road. It arguably causes a similar distraction to using a mobile phone while driving, but using a big touchscreen isn’t illegal. These new rules will require key functionality to be controlled physically as opposed to being embedded in the in-car software. Buyers will see many of Australia’s most popular models adopt a new layout inside the cabin from 2027. Some brands have already started to reintroduce physical controls in the cabin in response to buyer feedback, including Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. The Chinese government is moving to prohibit “folding” or “flexible” screens inside the car. While there aren’t mass-production cars that have these styles of screen, some brands were developing plans to introduce them down the line. China is also banning the use of ‘zero-gravity’ seats while driving that have become hugely popular in luxury models. This feature enables a seat to recline back on a steep angle, while elevating the leg rest to distribute body weight evenly, hence ‘zero-gravity’. This poses dangers to passengers, because in the event of a sudden stop or a crash, they could slide under the seatbelt, and will also be misaligned with airbags. It comes after the Chinese government outlawed electrically-operated hidden door handles, in favour of manual emergency releases.

There is plenty of affordable Chinese car choice for buyers in Australia, and we’ve just learnt why. Chinese brands can build an EV for $11,000 less than European legacy automakers, according to a report in AutoNews.  Manufacturers aren’t just winning on price, they’re winning on speed as well.  Chinese automakers develop cars more than two times faster than their European rivals. These advantages are seeing Chinese manufacturers surge up the sales charts globally, and there’s more than 100 EV models on sale in Australia.  Chinese carmakers can build and sell cars faster.  European carmakers take up to five years to bring a new model to market, while Chinese rivals can do it in only two years.   When these models do finally hit the market, they aren’t as prolific as Chinese ones, with less than a third of sales from vehicles introduced in the past three years.  New Chinese models account for up to 100 per cent of a brand’s sales within the first two years by contrast.  These factors have contributed to European car brands’ pre-tax profit dropping from 13.2 per cent in 2021 to 6.9 per cent in 2025, which in turn limits their ability to innovate.  The European Union has resorted to hefty tariffs on Chinese EVs coming into the region to protect its car industry, but it’s not stopping buyers choosing them.  These brands have now started building their cars in Europe to avoid tariffs, while taking advantage of under-utilised European automaker factories.  Consultancy firm AlixPartners told AutoNews the way Chinese brands are operating in Europe has fundamentally reset consumer expectations on price and technology. “A gradual response isn’t an option,” AlixPartners co-head of automotive for Germany, Austria and Switzerland Xing Zhou said.  “Manufacturers need to restructure, support their suppliers and move faster on technology partnerships than most have been prepared to do so far.” European carmakers need to aim for two-year development cycles and lean into artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce costs and increase production and development speed, according to the firm.  “The window to act from a position of financial strength is closing, and closing faster than most boardrooms and governments assume,” global co-leader for automotive and industrial practice at AlixPartners Andrew Bergbaum said.

Australia’s obsession with ride and handling is proving a secret weapon for one Chinese car maker, with Australian preferences and know-how set to be exported to the world. That’s the word from GWM, who took tuning its cars for Australian conditions so seriously that it took a near-12 month residency at Lang Lang (Holden’s old proving ground), and recruited Holden tuning ace Rob Trubiani to lead its local ride and handling program. What began as essentially tuning the components supplied by China has evolved into something far more in-depth for Trubiani and his team, who says he’s been overwhelmed by the response to his feedback from GWM’s global HQ. “They're very receptive to the stuff that we're doing, and they've been very positive about it,” Trubiani says. “We can tweak the components that we've got, but we're also now having input into changing stuff if we want to. “It's not that we're doing it right and they’re not. Each market is different. That's what drives our changes, right, our market is different to the China market, which is different to other regions. “We are developing the car for our market specifically, but I've also got a lot of experience in global tuning work and global development from my past days. So, we can leverage that experience.” It’s a thought echoed by GWM Chief Operating Officer, John Kett, who says the local engineering work has been so well received it is now being folded into the manufacturing process, meaning cars arrive in Australia with Trubiani’s tuning requirements baked in. “We're getting further and further up the engineering supply chain, meaning we'll get to the point where many of them now just come straight out of the chute ready to go,” Kett says. Trubiani is now influencing global supply chain choices for future products, with the models now just destined for Australia, but potentially for several global markets, too. "There are cars that Rob has already driven six, eight, 12 months before they're due to be released in China," says GWM Head Of Marketing & Communication, Steve Maciver. "And he said, 'no, this isn't, we need this, we need that'. The supply chain in those cars, Rob is influencing. "Brazil has expressed an interest in taking it. (And) once we did Tech Day last year, we had Pakistan, we had Russia, we had a few other markets looking at what Rob's doing. We certainly know from the Head Office R&D and engineering perspective, they're very, very keen on what Rob's doing. "Rob's probably giving a Western view to a company that's got global ambitions."

Holden versus Ford was the rivalry that defined the Australian car industry for decades. Whether it was in the driveways around the country or on the racetrack, like this weekend’s Bathurst 1000, for generations Aussies picked a side - red or blue. But while Ford and General Motors (via Chevrolet) are still competing at Mt Panorama, the fire has well and truly gone out of the contest between the two sides. While Ford remains a popular brand, with Holden gone and General Motors now fragmented into Chevy, Cadillac and GMC, there’s no direct competition. So what is Australia’s new car rivalry? There are several options, but in an ever-shifting new car market it can be tricky to pin down just one specific head-to-head battle. So here are a list of our contenders for the replacement of Holden v Ford - let us know your favourite (or suggest your own) in the comments or join the debate on social media. The Holden v Ford contest was defined by Commodore against Falcon, at least it was for decades. These days the two most popular new vehicles have traditionally been the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, so it makes sense to pit these two against each other. Ford’s Everest also gives Toyota’s Prado a hard time in the battle for Australian SUV buyers looking for adventure. And the Mustang and GR Supra are now rivals on track, competing against each other in the Supercars. But, the argument against this being the new Aussie grudge match is Ford simply doesn’t have enough competition against the rest of Toyota’s expansive range. Ford sales have fallen off notably in 2026 (down 14 per cent at the end of September), while Toyota remains on top. Even before Holden’s demise, Toyota had emerged as the benchmark in the Australian car industry. Such was its dominance, capturing nearly a quarter of the new car market each year, that it seemed nobody could challenge it for top spot on the sales charts. But in 2026, BYD has emerged as the surprise new contender, not only for a top five spot, but actually the clear number two brand - ahead of Kia, Ford, Mazda and all the rest. BYD sales have more than doubled in ‘26, as its line-up of electric and plug-in hybrid models clearly hits the spot with what Australian buyers are looking for. Perhaps even more so than Toyota’s limited all-electric and conventional hybrid offerings. Toyota remains comfortably ahead, as in nearly double the amount of sales ahead. So it may take a few more years for Toyota to get nervous about losing the sales lead, but it seems like BYD is the most likely challenger for the crown. If we’re looking to the future perhaps this will come to be the defining contest for the hearts and purchases for Australians in years to come. The pair have locked in a battle for the best-selling electric vehicle in recent years, although the American brand looks to comfortably claim that honour this year thanks to the boom in Model Y sales. But as Australians seemingly embrace electrification, these two brands have clearly impressed plenty of buyers with what they are offering. Whether or not they can both become best-selling brands, especially Tesla with its limited line-up, remains to be seen and that will define how far into the Australian psyche this rivalry ingrains itself. While it’s clearly not the same as the Holden v Ford contest of one brand against another, there is very clearly a new divide in Australia between the so-called ‘legacy brands’ and the new order of Chinese car makers. The likes Toyota, Kia, Mazda and Hyundai have been the Aussie favourites since the Holden/Ford dominance faded - and, in fact, the rise of these brands undoubtedly played a role in the downfall of Holden. But in recent years, especially 2026, they have come under pressure. BYD, GWM, Chery and MG have now cemented themselves in the top 10 selling brands, pushing the likes of Mitsubishi, Subaru, Nissan and Volkswagen down the sales charts. As I’ve previously written, Australians are more brand agnostic than ever before and have embraced these new Chinese brands remarkably quickly. But there are clearly still many who prefer to stick to brand names they know and have experience with. This divide, between those that appreciate the establishment and those who are happy to try the new, could very much come to define the next decade of car culture in Australia. What do you think is the new Holden v Ford? Let us know in the comments or join the debate on social media.

The Tesla Model Y is clearly the new Holden Commodore and the BYD Sealion 7 is the new Mazda CX-5. That’s how much things have changed, and it’s also how unscientific this story is - but I’ve included a table that makes me look as if I've based some of this on facts. Yep, the top 10 best-selling cars in Australia in 2026 looks very different to the top 10 from 2016. What were the big sellers back then and what’s replaced them now? Have we progressed onto better cars or was 2016 the peak and it’s all been downhill since? If you were to travel back 10 years in time and show anybody the top 10 best-selling cars for September 2026, even a car journo would look at you and say: "What’s a Geely EX5?". And you’d tell them it's a fully electric mid-sized SUV that came in at No.8 in the list of best sellers for September, 2026. But do not tell them anything else, you’ll risk altering the time line.  If you look at what car placed No.8 in 2016 you’ll find it was the Mitsubishi Triton ute. The Triton has fallen out of today’s top 10 in fact only two of the cars from the 2016 best sellers are still in the 2026 list, some of them like the Holden Commodore don’t exist at all anymore. Check out the table below for a side-by-side comparison of September 2016 v September 2026 In 2016, all of our top 10 cars had internal combustion engines (ICE) and only the Corolla was offered with a hybrid powertrain.  Currently, three of our top 10 cars are fully electric, five are offered in both hybrid and ICE formats, while only two models are only offered with ICE. The Corolla is gone, well it’s still on sale in 2026, but it’s left the top 10. See 2016 was one of the last years when hatchbacks ruled. The Corolla, Mazda3, Hyundai i30 were the three little kings, with the Hyundai Accent thrown in there, too. But they’ve been replaced now by new small rulers. I would even say the Chery Tiggo 4 and Haval Jolion are the new Corolla, i30 and Mazda 3. They are almost exactly the same size, price and target demographic for a Corolla in 2016. Following this gut logic I reckon the Tesla Model Y is the new Commodore. Holden fans won’t like to admit it, but they know I’m right.  The BYD Sealion 7 — that is the new Mazda CX-5. They’ve everywhere and they appeal to people who think they’re a bit better than a RAV4. Who’s now buying the RAV4? That’s a trick question because we all know RAV4 owners go on to buy another RAV4. So the RAV4 is the new RAV4. The EX5 is obviously the new Hyundai Tucson because it's one of the best but under-appreciated cars here. The D-Max is the new Triton. And that’s because the D-Max is no longer the runt of the ute litter, but it's still cheaper than a Ranger. What’s left. Ranger hasn’t changed - the same people are buying it and more of them and the same goes for HiLux. Those folks who would have loved V8 Commodores and Falcons are now in the tough ute group. Basically anyone who’d have a HSV or FPV 10 years ago is in a Ranger Raptor or HiLux GR Sport now. Prado is interesting and I think they are Toyota buyers who don’t want a Kluger and didn’t like their Fortuner but aren’t up for the 300 Series big dog. What do you think? If the Tesla Model Y isn’t the new Commodore then what is?  And were things better in 2016 when everything was ICE? Is our top 10 now looking like a list of best-selling electrical appliances? Are the Ranger and HiLux the last bastions of the best era ever? Or has their time come to move aside because EVs make far more sense? Also as a side note just to reassure you somewhat that not all of this is complete rubbish. Not only was in the same role at CarsGuide in 2016, but I'm pretty sure I also took most of the pictures of these cars from then, too. Stay tuned for my next unscientific round up of what’s what in 2036 when I’ll tell you that the super popular Mooflander Huckster 4 is the new Tesla Model Y.

There are some sharply priced new car deals available for Aussie buyers at the moment. Brands including Chery, Geely and GWM are putting forward some strong deals. Here are a few of the best ones going around. GWM has discounted some of its most popular models in Australia until October 31, 2026 as part of its 18-year celebrations.  The Haval Jolion's Premium grade starts from $23,990, down from $26,990 on drive-away pricing. The small SUV has consistently been one of the best-selling cars in Australia in 2026.  GWM has discounted its H6 mid-size SUV range. The petrol Lux grade is available from $33,990 (a $2000 price cut), while the Lux hybrid starts from $37,990 ($3000 cheaper). The Haval H6 GT is now $2000 cheaper, starting from $44,490, drive-away, while the Cannon Alpha diesel ute Ultra grade is available from $54,990 - a $4000 discount.  Geely is offering six per cent off cars purchased through approved novated lease arrangements until October 31, 2026.  This is available on its electric EX2 hatchback and EX5 mid-size SUV, as well as the Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV.  The six per cent discount is applied to the vehicle price, meaning buyers must still pay for on-road costs and other applicable charges.  Applying the discount, the EX2 is available from $24,900, the EX5 $39,470 and the Starray $35,240, all before on-road costs.  Chery is offering several deals on its popular SUV range.  The brand is selling its hugely popular Tiggo 4 small SUV with a $1500 bonus fuel card until October 31, 2026. The car is available from $23,990 (drive-away).  Tiggo 4 hybrid variants are now available with $2000 cashback until October 31, 2026, reducing its starting price to $27,990 (drive-away).  Chery is offering its Tiggo 7 ($29,990) petrol and plug-in hybrid ($39,990) mid-size SUVs with a $2000 fuel card, as well as its Tiggo 8 ($41,990) petrol until October 31, 2026, both drive-away.  The Tiggo 8 ($45,990) and Tiggo 9 ($52,990) PHEVs are available with a $3000 cashback deal, equating to a discounted price of $42,990 and $49,990, drive-away, respectively. The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is available with substantial discounts.  The GLC 200 Special Edition is priced from $65,490 (drive-away) as the cheapest GLC model in the line-up.  The regular GLC 200 now starts from $79,990 (drive-away) compared to its original $89,000 before on-road costs pricing.  The plug-in hybrid GLC 350e is also available with a sharp deal from $98,990 (drive-away), contrasting its $99,900 (before on-road costs) retail price.  These offers run until November 30, 2026 and the car must be delivered by December 31, 2026.  Mercedes-Benz has also discounted the EQA 250+ electric SUV that is available from $65,490 (drive-away) until December 31, 2026.  Skoda is offering its Kodiaq mild hybrid large SUV from $49,990 (drive-away), essentially representing free on-road costs, with this deal matching the car's retail price.  Buyers should note the Kodiaq is not powered by a conventional hybrid set-up, rather it has a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine powering the wheels and a 48-volt battery.  The deal runs until December 31, 2026. 

Chinese brands are having a monster 2026 on the sales charts. BYD further solidified second place in the top-selling brands race, so far bettering Ford, Kia, Mazda and Hyundai. The giant Chinese brand has more than doubled its Australian market share in 2026 compared to 2025. GWM, Chery and MG all now regularly feature in the top 10. Some individual Chinese models have even started to outsell entire legacy brands in Australia. The BYD Sealion 7 electric mid-size SUV was the fifth-best-selling car in September 2026, shifting 2687 units across the month. This represented a more than 42 per cent jump on September 2025, as it continues to be the closest rival to the Tesla Model Y. This means it nearly matched the Mitsubishi brand’s 2769 cars sold across its entire range in September. Overall, Mitsubishi has sold 33,245 cars up to September 2026, in excess of 10,000 more than the BYD Sealion 7’s 19,964 examples sold. Australian Design Rule changes forced the Japanese brand to discontinue sale of several of its strong-selling models. These included the ASX and Eclipse Cross small SUVs, as well as the adventure-pitched Pajero Sport. The old ASX used to be one of the most popular cars in Australia, owing to its less than $30,000 price tag and dependability. Mitsubishi is again beefing up its line-up in Australia. The much-anticipated Pajero 4WD and a fully-electric variant of the new ASX will launch in the coming months. Some of China’s other popular SUVs put up similarly spectacular numbers in September 2026. Chery registered 2059 sales for its Tiggo 4 small SUV, which is more than what Nissan (2028) and Subaru (2009) managed across their line-ups. The GWM Haval Jolion also outsold Subaru in September, with 2018 sales. The Tiggo 4 and Haval Jolion provide variety for buyers between petrol or conventional hybrid set-ups. They are also among some of the cheapest cars in Australia. Petrol grades of the Tiggo 4 ($23,990) and Haval Jolion ($26,990) are both sub-$30,000, drive-away, in Australia. Geely has stormed up the Aussie sales rankings in 2026, and its EX5 electric mid-size SUV ($41,990, before on-road costs) has led the way for the brand. The EX5’s 2008 sales in September 2026 were just shy of Subaru’s total, but above Suzuki (1049) and Volkswagen (1599). VW's figure does not include other brands in the VW group, such as Audi and Skoda, among others that would boost its sales to more than 3000 for September 2026.

Hybrid power is now mainstream for Aussie buyers.   It's an important choice for buyers transitioning from petrol- and diesel-powered cars to full EVs. Hybrid-powered cars are also important for brands as they seeks alternatives to internal combustion cars that incur fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). There are broad categories of hybrid cars in Australia, and each one has its own benefits for buyers. Here's a look at what hybrids are available, and which one might suit you best. Mild hybrid power is the first stage of electrification for cars. Mild hybrid cars can't drive on EV power alone, because they only use a small, low-voltage battery (usually) 48-volt, with a less than 1kWh capacity. The electric motor usual powers certain electrical features and the starter motor. They don't need to be charged, but they also don't offer noticeably better fuel efficiency than standard petrol- and diesel-powered cars. The popular Toyota HiLux ute is available with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, while Suzuki and Renault offer mild hybrid set-ups on some of their models. Conventional hybrid, plug-less hybrid or self-charging hybrid cars are popular in Australia. The engine works seamlessly with a bigger electric motor to maximise fuel efficiency. A conventional hybrid usually runs on electric-only power at low speeds or for short distances when cruising at higher speeds. The engine will kick in at higher speeds or when more power is needed, blending petrol and electric power. This makes fuels efficiency in urban environments or star-stop traffic better than what a petrol- or diesel-powered car would achieve. The battery in a conventional hybrid is charged by the engine and from regenerative braking, meaning the car doesn't need to be plugged in. The conventional hybrid car's battery is smaller than those in plug-in hybrid and fully-electric cars, and still requires a petrol engine to run. Toyota provides conventional hybrid set-ups on the vast majority of its Australian line-up, including its RAV4 SUV and Camry sedan. Other popular brands Kia, Hyundai and others also have affordable conventional hybrid variants on its popular models. Plug-in hybrids or PHEVs take hybrid power to the next level because they are equipped with a much larger battery and a more powerful electric motor set-up. PHEVs have a long electric-only driving range, with some capable of exceeding 200km, before the engine is needed to drive the wheels. Most new PHEVs have an EV range of at least 100km. This means daily commuters will rarely have to fill-up on fuel if they charge the battery every night. PHEVs also boast significant combined driving range as they have a regular sized fuel tank to power the engine, resulting in ranges of north of 1000km before the fuel tank and battery are depleted. Carmakers often claim PHEVs drink less than 2.0L/100km of fuel, but that requires owners to constantly charge their batteries and never let it deplete. Once the battery is depleted fuel use will skyrocket, as the small engine has to move around a heavy vehicle weighed down by the battery and electric motors. PHEVs suit a buyer with access to charging facilities, who also want outstanding fuel efficiency. Bigger Chinese vehicles usually employ PHEV set-ups, including the BYD Shark 6 ute and incoming Zeekr 8X and 9X. Range-extender hybrids, also known as Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REEV) or Extended-Range Electric vehicle (EREV), are gaining popularity globally. They are feature similar hardware to PHEVs, but work in a different way. The engine in a REEV's is used as a generator for charging the battery, and the wheels are driven by the electric motor, or motors, only. REEV's have an EV-sized battery that can also be plugged in to charge, giving these cars a driving range comfortably exceeding 1000km. Leapmotor's B10 and C10 SUVs use REEV set-ups in Australia, but the incoming Forthing Taikon 5 and the XPeng L03 will also employ the set-up when they hit showrooms. Nissan’s ‘e-Power’ hybrid system in the X-Trail and Qashqai SUVs employ REEV tech on a smaller scale, using the engine to power a small battery that powers the wheels, but this battery cannot be plugged in to charge.

If you’re an EV buyer in 2026, you need to know about this.  The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has revealed the state of play for electric and plug-in hybrid cars in Australia in 2026.  This is the 10th year of the ‘State of EVs’ report as more buyers bought EVs than ever before Down Under.  The report analysed the 2025-26 financial year, and how buyer trends and infrastructure, among other things, have changed in that time.  It called for several policy reforms, including targeted equity-based policy to assist economically-disadvantaged Aussies reap the benefits of EV driving. Australia’s charging landscape is diverse, it is also complex and fragmented and needs major investment, according to the report.  In June 2026, there were 4268 public charging locations, which is 235 per cent more than June 2025 There were 11,602 public charge points in June 2026, up 175 per cent compared to June 2025 The EVC said there needs to be more research into how owners charge EVs and where they need them most.  “Australia still needs substantial public charging investment, but the task is not as simple as just installing more fast chargers,” the report reads.   “Most charging happens where vehicles already park—at homes, apartment buildings, workplaces, destinations, kerbsides and depots.” The report calls for a nationally-coordinated charging roadmap and scaled infrastructure deployment. This news comes after NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury told CarsGuide in December 2025 Australia’s charging infrastructure was lagging behind.  “We’re nowhere near. We’ve got nowhere near enough public charging,” NRMA spokesperson Khoury said.  “There are lots of areas that don’t have energy that comes from outside the energy grid so you’ve got to create energy sources at those locations.” The EVC is calling for the government to implement a range of new rules in Australia.  It wants a targeted equity-based policy to help all Australians use EVs and take advantage of the cost savings with EV adoption. The report states that EVs have lower running costs than petrol- and diesel-powered cars, with less maintenance, seeing a typical driver saving roughly $3000 per year.  The EVC said this figure did not include the substantial increases to fuel prices in 2026, with savings calculated today even higher.  It said the federal government needs to implement an updated New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) for cars sold beyond 2029 to align with 2035 emissions reduction targets.  NVES is a set of emissions rules that imposes fines on cars sold that emit high levels of CO2 into the atmosphere.  Developing a car takes a brand several years to complete, meaning carmakers need to know the rules these models will need to follow. It also said there should be a national road-user charge that does not deter EV uptake. This would differ from the current system proposed by the New South Wales government from 2027 that the EVC said would slow EV sales. The New South Wales government wants a road user charge to make up for lost fuel excise revenue and ensure all road users contribute to maintenance.  The EVC found a fully-electric or PHEV car was bought every 100 seconds on average in the first half of 2026, with one in four new car sales using an electric powertrain. The report reads cost-of-living pressures, soaring fuel prices and greater EV choice has contributed to a sharp increase in electric car uptake in 2026.  Fully-electric and PHEV sales accounted for 25.8 per cent of new car sales up to June 2026, increasing from 12.1 per cent up to June 2025 There are 196 combined full EV and PHEV models on sale, compared to 153 models in 2025 There were 157,957 electric and PHEV sales in H1 2026, up 177 per cent from H1 2025 Australia’s EV uptake is now in line with the global average, according to the International Energy Agency “So, at a time when fuel prices are fluctuating and cost-of-living continues to bite, it’s no surprise that EVs have become a popular choice,” the report states.  “As of June 2026, drivers have never had a greater choice of EVs in Australia.” Australia recently got its new cheapest electric car in the BYD Atto 1 that is being offered from $19,990 (drive-away) until December, 15 2026.

GWM will almost double its model count in Australia next year, with the brand confirming 16 models will be on sale by the end of 2027, surpassing the 14 currently offered by core rival BYD. The brand currently offered nine models – the Jolion, H6, H6GT and H7 under the Haval brand, the Tank 300 and 500, the Cannon and Cannon Alpha, and the all-electric Ora 5 – but than number is set to boom next year with the arrival of new models and powertrains. The move is in response to a Australia's highly competitive marketplace, with a slew of new brands fighting for sales. The answer, says GWM, is to launch early and launch often as it competes for customer attention. "I think that's the only response to the marketplace you can deliver is new product, new interest, get people's attention," says GWM Australia COO John Kett. "There are some great performance vehicles in our 3.0-litre diesel, plug-in hybrid vehicles that we're launching, and a couple of EVs." Also confirmed is the arrival of the brand's new V8 engine, which will arrive next year, most likely in the Tank 700 SUV. "(We) will tell you after Christmas which car it is, because we can't announce them all now," Kett said. First to arrive will be the Haval Jolion Maxi (sometimes called Max), a bigger version of the Jolion that steps into mid-size SUV territory. It is expected to be powered by the choice of a 164kW/482Nm petrol hybrid, a 238kW/528Nm plug-in hybrid, or a 150kW/260Nm electric powertrain. Also coming soon is the Ora Touring, featuring a longer, wagon-like body shape for the brand's electric model. "We're hoping by the end of the year, we'll have the Jolion Maxi and the Ora Touring," Kett says. "I think for us it allows us to be who we are. We're going to launch an incredible 3.0-litre diesel, and simultaneously some EVs in the middle, and some plug-in hybrids." A hybrid and plug-in hybrid version of the Haval H7 is also coming in October, and the ute portfolio continues to grow, with the Cannon Hi4-T having just been launched/ "We'll end up with a portfolio by Q4 next year that we think is about 16 products," Kett says. "These aren't just silhouette cars in a portfolio, they're happening."