Haval H7 News

GWM was here before the multitude of other Chinese car brands arrived, which allowed it to build a reputation that could soon see it become a brand as ‘Aussie’ as Toyota with just a few more models — and it’s so obvious what they are. Now you might think that’s ridiculous, but once Australians would have laughed at the idea of swapping their Holdens and Fords for a Toyota, but models such as the LandCruiser, HiLux and Corolla changed their minds, forever.GWM is poised to do the same, but it’ll take more models and the right ones — these ones.GWM’s year-to-date sales (until the end of August) were 34,398, and while Toyota is a long way ahead as expected with 163,491 sales, GWM’s results make it the seventh most-bought brand in Australia. If GWM’s sales keep tracking upwards at the present rate it will overtake Mitsubishi (currently sixth place for year to date sales) in 2026.Catching Toyota is highly unlikely in the next decade if ever, but GWM doesn’t need to beat Toyota to be a successful and loved brand in Australia. If it can aim for what Kia (55,554) and Hyundai (51,957) have now it’ll be safe… well until its Chinese rivals start pecking away at its lead. GWM has an excellent model portfolio already and they are all doing big numbers.The Haval Jolion small SUV has reached 12,278 this year already, the Haval H6 mid-sized SUV is at 9224, the Tank 300 has reached 3271 and the Cannon 4x4 ute has reached 4428 sales. Adding to the overall number are decent sales of the Cannon Alpha ute with 1549 sales and the Tank 500 large SUV with 1021 sales.It would seem that GWM doesn’t really need any new models at all as it has utes and SUVs, which is the way to Aussie sales success. But the models it doesn’t have are so obvious you might not have spotted it and not having them is very ‘un-Chinese’. GWM doesn’t have electric vehicles.Well it has the little Ora hatch, which is cute, but lacks the outstanding refinement, cutting edge EV architecture and dazzling cabin tech Aussies have come to expect from Chinese EVs. Still 432 have been sold this year.GWM has won Australia over already with its regular combustion cars and now it must add good electric models to its range.Fellow Chinese brand MG has done just that and if GWM dawdles with EVs then MG will surge ahead, especially with the launch of its MG S5 and new MG4 Urban electric cars.The electric models GWM needs now are a Jolion EV, a H6 EV, a medium-sized electric sedan to rival the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal and a new-gen Ora that’s better than the current version.    Chinese EVs are known to be exceptional both in technology and value and GWM launching an electric line-up of at least four battery electric vehicles will ensure it can overtake Mitsubishi and possibly even Hyundai, Kia, Ford and Mazda for yearly sales.GWM’s footprint in Australia is now huge with more than 120 dealerships already operating in Australia. The hard part is done, and EVs will be the final piece of the GWM puzzle.Does GWM have the EV know-how and the models? That’s a good question and the company’s Chief Operating Officer John Kett said it does, but we’ll believe it when we drive it.When asked earlier in 2025 where GWM’s EVs are, Kett said they were coming with two or three new ones to arrive in 2026.“Should we do better? Certainly. Are we happy with the progress? Yes. Have we got more Oras and other EV platforms in our plan going forward? Yes, definitely,” he told CarsGuide.Whether GWM can do electric cars as well as MG and BYD really remains to be seen, but if the company is able to produce not only affordable EVs but good ones even then it might even cause Toyota to start looking over its shoulder.

GWM will launch the Haval H7 in Australia later this year, an off-road capable mid-sized SUV poised to compete with the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage.CarsGuide understands that GWM is likely to launch the all-new model in Australia by the second-half of this year, with examples currently testing on local roads.Previous homologation filings submitted in September last year have already revealed it is set to be offered in petrol and hybrid variations.That includes a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine in front- and all-wheel drive, or an all-wheel drive 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol hybrid configuration.The former is capable of producing 170kW, while the latter can produce up to 179kW.Transmissions have been listed as a nine-speed dual-clutch on petrol front- and all-wheel drive variants, while the hybrid will get its own three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission.In China, there is also a dual-motor plug-in hybrid option that produces a whopping 240kW and 530Nm, along with 105km of pure-electric driving range, although homologation filings appear to have ruled this out for now.Given GWM's preference for plug-in hybrids, though, we can assume it is a strong chance for Australia down the track.According to CarNewsChina, the H7's Dimensions are 4705mm long, 1908mm wide, 1780mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2810mm.That puts it in the ballpark of rivals such as the RAV4 and Sportage, although given it is close to 100mm longer than both of those models, it occupies a unique space as a more rugged alternative.The H7 is tough looking with thick plastic wheel arches, a Ford Bronco-inspired front end with circular LED headlights and prominent Haval branding.There are also multi-spoke alloys and roof rails as standard.Interior details are light on, but on the PHEV variant in China, there is a huge 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display.The Haval H7 will have its global launch in South Africa on January 15, with more details expected to follow.