GWM News

It will come as no surprise that 2025 was a massive year for new-model launches. The sheer number of new cars arriving in Australian showrooms has been unprecedented.

A recall has been put out for some of GWM’s leading hybrid models as per a Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts notice. The GWM Cannon Alpha plug-in hybrid ute, Tank 300 hybrid and Tank 500 hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs have been caught up in an electrical issue which could affect performance. There are a total of 1445 vehicle affected by the issue, all from cars sold in 2025.“Due to a manufacturing defect, the shielding ring in the high voltage wiring harness may not be properly grounded,” the notice reads.“This can reduce the effectiveness of electromagnetic shielding, which may cause abnormal communication with the engine and transmission control systems.“As a result, warning lights may illuminate, vehicle torque may be reduced, and cooling performance of the hybrid system may be affected.”According to the notice, reduced vehicle performance and cooling operation could increase the risk of an accident causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users. GWM will contact owners of the affected vehicles to request an appointment with an authorised dealership and have the work to rectify the issue carried out for free. The rugged-branded Tank 300 and 500 have been among GWM’s best-selling vehicles in Australia, approaching 6000 sales between them for 2025.Only the Haval H6 and Jolion SUVs have sold more units for the brand this year. The Tank 300 currently comes as a petrol, diesel and hybrid in Australia, but it has been announced that GWM will bring across a plug-in hybrid version next year. The Tank 500 is now exclusively sold as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, however it's understood a new diesel engine could come in 2026.The Cannon Alpha has also been a competitive seller for the brand, with more than 2000 sales in 2025. Offered with diesel power, it also comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain which is an alternative to BYD's popular Shark 6.This isn’t the first wiring issue to be found on the Cannon Alpha, with the ute suffering from another similar issue earlier this year.  An electric power steering wiring harness may come into contact with the driveshaft when driving and become damaged. This could lead to a loss of power steering and engine shutdown. 

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An all-new MG has received top safety marks. The MG 7 mid-size liftback picked up a five-star ANCAP safety rating ahead of its Australia launch. It joins the market as a potential rival to the popular Toyota Camry, gearing up to hit Aussie roads early next year, starting from $44,990 (before on-road costs). The car received 88 per cent for adult protection and 85 per cent for child protection as per ANCAP testing.ANCAP noted the MG 7’s comprehensive active safety technologies, such as autonomous emergency braking. In the frontal offset test, good protection was offered for most critical body regions for the driver, apart from the chest and lower legs where it was adequate. It was stated that the front structure of the car presented a moderate risk to occupants of oncoming vehicles, with a penalty applied to its score. According to the full width frontal test, there was good protection for all critical body areas for the driver, with rear passenger chest protection marginal and good elsewhere. In more MG safety news, one of its most popular models has received a safety boost, with its ZS small SUV, shifting from a four-star rating to a five-star. The rating increase for the ZS is due to the addition of a centre airbag, and has pushed adult protection up to 81 per cent. Elsewhere the SUV scored maximum points in the side impact test, with adequate protection for the driver in the oblique pole test and good protection in all other body areas. For child protection, the car scored 84 per cent, but there was poor protection for the 10-year-old dummy’s chest. ANCAP also revealed the GWM Haval H7 mid-size SUV has been awarded a five-star rating.It launched earlier this year as a hybrid rival to the best-selling Toyota RAV4 and has managed 379 sales up to December.The Haval H7 received 89 per cent and 91 per cent for adult and child protection, respectively. In frontal offset testing, adequate protection was offered for the driver chest and lower legs, with good protection elsewhere, including for the front passenger. GWM has issued a voluntary recall over the dislodgement of the driver’s head restraint from the seat back, following what is being described as an anomaly during the full width frontal test.

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