In line with its global commitment to promote sustainable mobility solutions, one of China’s leading automobile manufacturers, Great Wall Motor Co Ltd (GWM), is going full steam ahead to expand its product line-up with the introduction of more environment-friendly vehicles in Malaysia.

Following the launch of the popular ORA Good Cat at the end of 2022 and ORA 07 in April under its electric vehicle (EV) brand GWM ORA, the automaker, through its wholly-owned subsidiary GWM Malaysia, is expected to unveil at least two more models this year in its SUV and luxury 4x4 categories.

Recently previewed at Auto China 2024, the GWM HAVAL H6 hybrid SUV and GWM TANK 300 luxury 4WD promises to excite the market with their smart technology and safety and sustainable features without compromising on performance. The two models were among the 20 GWM showcased at the international expo, featuring the automotive giant’s core product lines — GWM HAVAL, GWM WEY, GWM TANK, GWM ORA and GWM CANNON.

Founded in 1984 with a core business of manufacturing pickup trucks, GMW is currently the largest SUV and pickup brand manufacturer in China and dominates both segments domestically under its flagship brands GWM HAVAL and GWM CANNON. Being one of the first Chinese car companies to expand overseas, GWM is today present in 170 countries with over 1,000 established sales networks.

GWM's business covers the design, research and development, production, sales and service of automobiles and parts, and the whole industrial chain of hydrogen energy, solar energy and other clean energy, with emphasis on the R&D and application of forward-looking technologies such as intelligent connection, intelligent driving and chips.

Committed to providing intelligent and green mobility services for global users, GWM is a leading global brand for new energy vehicles (NEVs), offering a wide range of passenger cars, SUVs, 4x4 and pickup trucks that are zero to low emission. With continuous innovation, clever designs and a winning strategy, its brands have won the hearts of consumers worldwide. As a testament to the popularity of GWM’s automobiles, annual vehicle sales have exceeded one million for the past eight consecutive years.

The company is moving into a new era, focusing on the international market where it aims to achieve annual sales of over one million vehicles by 2030.

To achieve this goal, GWM announced its Four Globalisations strategic pillars for global development — local build, operation, talent cultivation and supply chain integration — under the streamlined ONE GWM brand strategy, which will see increased investments in overseas markets, and a push for expansion, comprehensive research, production, supply, sales and service.

During the announcement at Auto China, GWM chairman Jack Wey said, “GWM will attach great importance to overseas markets, increase investment in overseas resources, fully support overseas expansion, and launch products with category advantages, high quality and competitiveness in various regions overseas.”

True to the company’s long-termism approach to business, GWM has capitalised on its global presence for the past 27 years to cultivate a comprehensive layout of the overseas automotive ecosystem covering sales and distribution, R&D, manufacturing and a supply chain partner network, which includes renowned automotive tech solutions providers SVOLT, HYCET, FTXT, MIND Electronics and NOBO Autos.

Not one to rest on its laurels, GWM will continue to build a forest-like industrial ecological system with upstream and downstream partners in the industrial chain and invest in R&D to create greener, smarter and safer products for global users.

With this outward direction and GWM’s focus on NEVs, product innovation and commitment to high-quality automotive products, Malaysians can expect more exciting product lines offered at competitive prices without compromising on performance, design, safety and tech features.

Growing the local EV market supports Malaysia’s target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in which the EV industry plays a crucial role. In a bid to encourage the conversion from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to NEVs, namely EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, which are more readily available, the government has offered tax exemption incentives for EV ownership and is pushing for improved charging infrastructure with a target of 10,000 new charging stations by 2025, even as it targets to attract RM20 billion in EV investments under the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry by next year.

GWM had earlier this year appointed PEPS-JV (Melaka) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of EP Manufacturing Bhd, as the contract vehicle assembler for selected GWM models in Malaysia for the next eight years, beginning with the Haval H6 HEV. The collaboration is expected to play a significant role in GWM's plan in Asean to further establish its market presence with a comprehensive sales, after-sales and service and maintenance infrastructure network.