GWM Australia has asked head office in China for an increase to production volumes of its just-launched plug-in hybrid variant of its popular Tank 300 SUV. According to GWM, the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on the price of diesel, has led to an increase in demand for energy efficient vehicles as buyers look to immunise themselves against the volatile oil market.

According to GWM Australia and New Zealand managing director, Andrew Gao, interest in the Tank 300 PHEV has exploded, resulting in the Australian arm asking head office in China for increased volumes for our market.

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“As everybody knows… the fuel pricing is increasing sharply,” Gao told assembled Australian media, including WhichCar by Wheels. “And now, diesel pricing is $1 more than petrol. And I think the Tank 300 PHEV will help these customers to ease the severity of their fuel costs.

“In terms of our current order bank for this model… it’s quite stronger than our expectations. And… we have already temporarily asked our factory to increase the production of this model [for Australia]. And now, we are looking forward to [twice the] volume than before, for the Tank 300.”

GWM Australia’s initial forecasts suggested that plug-in hybrid versions would account for around 30 per cent of total Tank 300 sales. However, that has now been revised with Gao confirming the plug-in hybrid Tank 300 could account for as much as 50 per cent of the model’s sales.

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“The initial planning is probably 70 [percent petrol and] diesel and 30 [per cent] plug-in hybrid. That was the initial… assumption.

“But given the time now… we are upping the volume in [the] high 40 [per cent], and that is going to skew probably more towards 50:50 moving forward.

“But a good thing for us is we are very flexible, and we are quick to react to the market as well. So, we’re going to see what happens to the fuel pricing on the global stage, and we’re going to adjust as required, but at this point in time, we’re probably close to 50:50.”

Australia will get two variants of the plug-in hybrid Tank 300 with pricing starting from $55,990 driveaway for the entry-level Lux or $59,990 driveway for the range-topping Ultra.

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Both models are powered by 2.0-litre turbo-petrol paired with a single 120kW electric motor for combined outputs of 300kW and 750Nm and a zero to 100km/h of just 6.3 seconds.

A 37.11kWh battery provides a claimed electric-only driving range of around 115kW, based on the more lenient NEDC testing criteria. GWM claims a fuel consumption figure of 1.9L/100km with a high state of battery charge. According to the Chinese carmaker, the petrol engine in isolation (i.e. when the battery is in a low state of charge) will use 8.3L/100km. The Chinese manufacturer also claims towing capcaities of 3000kg with a braked trailer, and 750kg unbraked.

Stay tuned to Whichcar by Wheels for our full review of the new GWM Tank 300 PHEV, coming soon.