The new-model drive intended to make GWM a top-three showroom brand in Australia is about to take a surprising turn towards diesel.

Almost every Chinese carmaker describes it as a ‘new energy’ brand with the focus entirely on hybrids and battery-electric vehicles, but GWM has identified an Aussie need for diesel.

It is responding with an all-new 3-litre turbodiesel to be installed for Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha owners who want the towing and off-road advantages of diesel.

White pickup truck driving through a muddy dirt road, mud splashing around the wheels in a rural, tree-lined landscape.
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The engine, codenamed GW4F30, makes 170 kiloWatts of power and 620 Newton-metres of torque, with claimed fuel economy of 7.1 litres/100km for the Tank SUV and 7.3 for the Cannon pick-up.

It could account for one-third of sales for the Tank SUV and even more deliveries for the ute.

“These are the first of nine new models between now and the end of the year,” says GWM’s head of marketing and communications, Steve Maciver.

“We’ve got another nine models which will swell to around double that, roughly 18, by the end of next year.”

He said GWM is trying to be all things for all buyers, but focussing on value while building its customer service and dealer network.

“We’re not looking at what other brands are doing. We know what we have to do. We know in dual-cab ute and mid-sized SUV we can do better.”

White SUV splashes through a muddy puddle on a dirt road with trees in the background.
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GWM had a relatively underwhelming first-half showroom total but is aiming to sell around 60,000 vehicles this year, improving to 70-75,000 by the end of 2027.

That would keep it on track for a top-five sales ranking, heading for the top three.

“We want to be top three by the end of this decade. So the volume to achieve top three is going to be around 90,000, perhaps 100,000.

“They are big numbers but it’s all about consistency growth. The GWM value is resonating with buyers, but it’s the product and the technology.”

Maciver said the product pipeline includes an Haval H7 to replacement the current vehicle, followed by a Jolion Max between the existing Jolion and the Haval H6, then an Ora hatch and a mid-sized Ora SUV called the Touring.

He also updated the plan for GWM’s prestige brand, Wey, which is coming in 2027.

“We’ll likely launch with the G9 people mover. But I cannot confirm that yet. There are a couple of other people movers coming behind that, next year.”

“The philosophy is about bringing the right vehicles to the market. We’re not forcing consumers down a particular path. We’re market driven.”