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Compiling a list of ‘brands to watch in 2024’ has to include GWM.
The Chinese car maker has been making waves in Australia and is steadily gaining traction thanks to an influx of fresh, value-focused product that saw sales increase by 45.3 per cent in 2023.
A number of brands fall under the GWM umbrella, including GWM, Tank, Haval and Ora, with each sub brand playing a particular role in the portfolio.
Haval is the home of road-biased SUVs like the Jolion and H6, for example, while Ora is GWM’s fledgling EV brand.
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Tank is the domain of boxy, off-road focused SUVs like the Tank 300 and incoming Tank 500, and GWM itself currently takes care of dual-cab utes with the Cannon and soon-to-arrive Shanhai Cannon.
As we’ll discover, each of GWM’s brands has a pipeline of incoming product that should reinforce its reputation as a genuine rival to the established players in some of Australia’s most popular segments.
Here’s your guide to the fresh models that GWM is planning to add to its showrooms in 2024, along with other models that have the potential to head Down Under.
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JUMP AHEAD
Confirmed models
Potential models
Facelifted GWM Cannon Ute
An updated version of the popular GWM Cannon dual-cab ute was revealed internationally in April 2023, yet it still hasn’t made its way to Australia.
The latest from GWM’s Aussie brand is the timing of the facelift Cannon is “to be confirmed” though a launch sometime in the first half of 2024 is expected.
The facelift brings no mechanical changes, meaning the current 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines will carry over, but it does include a host of worthwhile updates to the cabin and exterior styling.
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The cabin has been entirely redesigned for a more modern look and includes a larger 7.0-inch driver display and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen.
That’s up from the current ute’s 9.0-inch central touchscreen and smaller digital dials, which are either 3.5in or 7.0in depending on the variant.
The facelifted Cannon should also run GWM’s latest infotainment software with a built-in SIM and include a 50-watt wireless phone charging pad, USB-C charging ports and a heated steering wheel.
An updated safety suite also includes Level 2 semi-autonomous functions like traffic jam assist and an auto parking system.
Outside, the updated 2024 GWM Cannon has a redesigned front grille and revised bumper with larger circular fog lamps.
Shanhai Cannon
Another dual-cab set to launch towards the start of 2024 is the GWM Shanhai Cannon.
Pitched as a larger and more luxurious alternative to the existing GWM Cannon, the Shanhai won’t only offer more space inside the cabin and tray but also brings the promise of larger, more powerful engines.
Where the existing GWM Cannon uses a pair of 2.0-litre engines, the Shanhai Cannon is likely to be powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbo petrol with a healthy 260kW/500Nm on tap.
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A mild-hybrid 2.4-litre diesel is also possible, as is a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.0-litre petrol with a single e-motor and 9-speed automatic.
Size wise the Shanhai measures 5440mm long (+30mm compared with GWM Cannon), 1991mm wide (+57mm) and 1924mm tall (+38mm) and rolls on a 3350mm wheelbase (+120mm).
The tray also features a unique ‘barn door’ style tailgate and a clever multi-lid bed divider than splits the tray into three separate sections. Officially the GWM Shanhai is yet to be confirmed for Australia however it’s understood to effectively be a sure thing. An arrival some time during Q2 2024 is expected as is a possible name change from Shanhai to GWM Cannon Alpha.
Tank 300
Boasting boxy proportions and a retro exterior design that evokes iconic off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler and Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, the Tank 300 caused quite a stir when it launched last year.
Priced from $46,990 driveway, GWM currently offers four trim levels of the Tank 300 and two engine options: either a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol with 162kW/380Nm or a 2.0-litre hybrid which produces combined outputs of 258kW/615Nm.
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It’s possible the Tank 300 range could expand in 2024 following the reveal of a more powerful Tank 330 model in China.
The Tank 330 uses a 3.0-litre V6 turbo with 265kW/500Nm and boasts tougher exterior styling. GWM Australia, however, was non-committal when asked if it has plans to introduce the new variant Down Under.
“Our focus currently is on continuing the successful local launch of Tank 300,” said a spokesperson. “We don’t have any plans at this stage to broaden the Tank 300 range but our local team is working hard on expanding the range of genuine GWM accessories available to customers on all models including the Tank 300.
Tank 500
One new off-roader guaranteed to come to Australia is the Tank 500.
Bigger than the Tank 300, the 500 is a rival for popular family SUVs like the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado. It could arrive as early as Q1 2024, however GWM is yet to officially set a launch date as it is still finalising the business case.
First revealed internationally in 2021, the Tank 500 is powered either by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 or a 2.0-litre hybrid which combines a four-cylinder petrol engine with a single e-motor.
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The hybrid engine produces 258kW/615Nm and is the more likely candidate to power Aussie versions.
A plug-in hybrid engine, which uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 19.94kWh battery pack to produce 300kW/750Nm, is also available overseas.
Multiple testing mules of the Tank 500 have been spotted in Australia, further underscoring the likelihood of an imminent launch here.
The Tank 500 is 5078mm long, 1934mm wide and 1905mm tall, with those dimensions putting it roughly on par with the outgoing Toyota Prado.
Potential future models
Tank 400
Slotting in between the existing Tank 300 and soon-to-arrive Tank 500 is the tough-looking Tank 400, which is yet another possibility of joining the booming Tank range in Australia.
GWM itself fuelled speculation the Tank 400 is bound for Australia by sharing images of the new model on its social channel and asking followers whether it should launch here.
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Officially GWM says the Tank 400 is “unconfirmed at this stage” however it’s understood to be firmly on the brand’s radar for 2024 and beyond.
If it does arrive in Australia, the Tank 400 will be a rival for popular off-roaders like the Isuzu MU-X and Toyota Fortuner, however it will easily out muscle those established rivals courtesy of a plug-in hybrid powertrain that produces 300kW/750Nm.
Three locking differentials, 224mm of ground clearance and an 800mm wading depth also feature, as does a maximum braked towing capacity of 2500kg.
Tank 700
Revealed towards the end of 2023, the Tank 700 is the flagship of the expanding Tank family and a rival for the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol.
Built on GWM’s fresh Hi4-T platform, the Tank 700 is a five-seat off-road focused SUV that shouldn’t only undercut its established rivals for price but will also demolish them when it comes to powertrain performance.
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Powered by a ‘P2 hybrid’ system, the Tank 700 combines a 3.0-litre V6 with a single electric motor to produce 386kW and 850Nm.
GWM claims the big SUV will hit 0-100km/h “in the 5-second range” which means it will be quicker to three figures than most hot hatches. Crikey.
In comparison a LC300 has 227kW/700Nm from its 3.3L turbo diesel, while the Patrol has a naturally aspirated V8 petrol that produces 298kW and 560Nm.
As for whether the Tank 700 will make landfall in Australia, here’s a comment from GWM’s local arm:
“The official line locally is that Tank 700 is, at this stage, not confirmed for Australia,” said GWM’s head of marketing and communications Steve Maciver. “We see the potential for multiple Tank products in the Australian GWM lineup but our focus currently is to continue the successful launch of Tank 300 and finalise the business case for a possible Tank 500 launch.”
Haval H9
It’s been a while since the Haval H9 was offered in Australia.
GWM sold the first-gen H9 here between 2015 and 2021 but since then Haval hasn’t had a contender in the large off-road SUV class to rival the likes of the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest.
That could change later this year following the recent reveal of an all-new, second-generation H9 in China.
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Boasting boxy styling and a tougher look, the new H9 rides on an updated ladder-frame chassis and will offer improved off-road capability and an overhauled, more luxurious cabin.
GWM Australia says the new H9 is “certainly on our radar but is not confirmed for Australia at this stage”. Adding a large SUV to complete Haval’s existing lineup, which includes the mid-size H6 and smaller Jolion, would make sense however it’s also possible GWM might want to avoid treading on the toes of its fledgling Tank brand in Australia.
GWM Ora Sport
EVs are booming in Australia and demand for cheaper, more budget-focused alternatives is higher than ever. Enter the GWM Ora Sport.
Laden with cooky design features, the Ora Sport (known as Lightning Cat/ Next Cat internationally) is a mid-size sedan to rival the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Polestar 2 and BYD Seal.
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Available with single or dual electric motors and two battery sizes, the Ora Sport should undercut those rivals for price yet still offer a claimed range up to 705km.
GWM says the Ora sport is under strong consideration for Australia and that its business case development is continuing.
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