GWM’s Haval brand could soon have a new flagship seven-seat SUV if the Australian arm decides to bring the H9 into our market, which is currently under serious consideration.
With company executives spending this week in China attending the Beijing Auto Show, Car expert understand that the H9’s case has been significantly improved with GWM looking to match the product below the recently launched Tank 500.
said GWM Australia director of marketing and communications, Steve Maciver Car expert business case for H9 is being researched.
“We had the opportunity to observe the H9 closer and drive the car. Suffice it to say, the response has been very, very positive and we’re now looking at options to see if the H9 could be another seven-seat addition to the range. [GWM] range,” he said.
If the Haval H9 makes it to our market, it will have to be lower than the recently launched version Tank 500 (from $66,490 to $73,990 drive-away) in terms of price and capabilities.
This lower price is achievable because, unlike the Tank 500, the H9 lacks some of the more off-road-focused capabilities that some GWM Haval buyers may not necessarily need.
“We have to think carefully about positioning and pricing, but if we can get those right then H9 can happen,” Mr. Maciver said.
“So it’s likely we’ll sell it at a lower price, in line with our Haval SUV strategy, so it’s capable off-road – but it’s certainly not capable off-road Like the professional Tank series, this is our high-end off-road vehicle line.”
The Haval H9 is currently offered in China with a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and a 2.4-liter diesel engine. It is highly unlikely that with the upcoming New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) in Australia that diesel engines will be seriously considered – there is currently no hybrid variant of the H9.
Based on previous cases, once GWM Australia decides to put the H9 into service, it could be ready in right-hand drive and local arrivals within the next 12 months.
THAN: Everything GWM
