GWM Steed Reviews

Will this be the car to put GWM back on the map for electric car buyers?

GWM says it expects Ora to thrive in Australia over the next 12 to 24 months, with much-needed additional models and a broader choice of powertrain options that are more in-line with consumer preferences. With sales of the sole, ageing Ora hatchback electric vehicle (EV) that was launched back in 2022 down by about 40 per cent year-to-date, hopes are pinned on a pair of all-new SUVs.

Chinese cars have started to turn a corner, thanks to GWM's efforts in incorporating suspension and steering retuning suitable for Australian roads. The Haval H6 PHEV AWD is the first example, with calibration and components changes delivering a more comfortable and confident driving experience. The result is very promising and welcome, though some work still needs to be done.

Australian new car market continues to shift in October 2024.

The single cab-chassis 4x2 is typically the lowest-priced utilitarian workhorse, with a standard equipment list that usually offers little more than steel wheels, unpainted plastic in high-wear areas, fabric seats and wipe-clean vinyl floors. And you pay extra for a tray.

Modern 4x4s are packed with clever tech - but at what cost?

Haval's next new SUV

GWM has tinkered with its fast-selling Haval Jolion small SUV, delivering big results.The Chinese brand has made some rolling changes to its compact SUV that have delivered massive reduction in fuel use.The Jolion Hybrid now uses 4.8L/100km, down from 5.1L/100km. And petrol Premium and Lux grades go from 8.1L/100km down to 6.7L/100km. GWM has also ditched the range-topping Ultra grade and replaced it with the Vanta variant. Its petrol engine is even more efficient than the cheaper grades, with it using 6.5L/100km.GWM said the fuel savings were due to the addition of stop-start function on petrol versions and new tyres and a more aerodynamic undertray on all variants. Engine performance remains unchanged despite the improvements.Hybrid version use a 1.5L petrol engine matched with an electric motor to make a combined 140kW and 375Nm.Lux and Premium petrol variants use a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol motor making 105kW and 210Nm. This jumps to 130kW and 270Nm in the Vanta grade.Petrol variants use a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and hybrid examples have a hybrid automatic transmission. All Jolions are front-wheel drive.All models run on the cheapest 91 RON regular unleaded petrol, which boosts value by reducing running costs.The increased efficiency also pushes the hybrid models under this year’s CO2 threshold as set out by the federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).The NVES slaps carmakers with penalties for every gram of CO2 emitted over a certain threshold per car. This CO2 limit gets lower every year until 2030.Carmakers can offset the penalties via credits earned from the sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.This type of change shows just how flexible Chinese carmakers can be, ushering in proper alterations outside of model year updates.This is referred to as "China Speed", which is a new industry buzz and something many established carmakers such as Audi, GM and Nissan are looking to replicate.GWM is currently offering sharp drive-away deals on current Jolion stock, but this deal is unlikely to apply to the revised versions. 

‘China speed’ is the newest buzz word in the car industry.

China has finally produced a vehicle that, for the large part, delivers on the promise of its contemporary styling and high-tech specification. One that does not have make questionable or confounding compromises on account of its ultra-competitive pricing. That the carmaker is GWM, rather than BYD, Geely or even Xiaomi comes as a surprise, given the very disappointing showing from models both successful and otherwise, like the Haval Jolion and Ora electric vehicle (EV) respectively.