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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
The end of cheap Chinese cars? Government vows to end price wars
The Chinese government has said it will take action to stem the oversupply of new vehicles in China, which it says has led to domestic price wars and "irrational competition" that is destroying the industry's profitability. The move to focus on a sustainable auto industry could put an end to cut-price Chinese cars and provide consumers with better vehicles – but at higher prices. In a state council report published last week, Chinese authorities admitted the country had an oversupply of new vehicles from its factories – something it previously denied. The claim is backed up by data which reveals a 49.1 per cent utilisation rate of the country's car-producing capability in 2024 – which still saw 31.8 million new vehicles roll out of automaking facilities in the world's largest car market last year. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The figures put China's current car-making capacity at around 55.5 million annually – more than two-thirds of the 74.6 million vehicles sold in the entire world last year. Chinese state media published the report in which the government vowed to rein in the climate of "irrational competition" due to over-production and says it will address what it sees as a imbalance between supply and demand. The Chinese government says it will more closely monitor prices, costs and product quality across the domestic automotive supply chain – where automakers are more fixated on maintaining market share than profits, according to CNBC. Consumers have been paying less for new cars in China, where an ultra-competitive battle across the industry has driven prices down for the past three years. More cars have been sold in China each year than anywhere else in the world since 2009, when it overtook the US, with sales tripling since then. Domestic new-vehicle sales in China amounted to 33.1 million in 2024, but more than 22 million were exported to markets including Australia, which accounted for only 54,344 cars or less than 0.2 per cent of vehicles shipped overseas. The export figure may also include controversial 'zero mileage' vehicles, as part of a process which came into the spotlight after it was criticised by GWM chairman Wei Jianjun in May 2025. 'Zero-mileage cars' come from Chinese automakers who have allegedly recorded vehicles as being sold domestically – to meet local quotas – before shipping them overseas where they are sold as used cars. This is a way to inflate Chinese domestic sales figures and which has also led to reduced sticker prices (and falling profit margins), prompting GWM's public calling out of the practice which is set to be banned. Despite being consolidated from hundreds of brands previously, of the dozens of automakers in China less than a handful are currently profitable – led by BYD, Geely (which controls Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and others) and SAIC (MG, LDV and IM Motors). While it has overtaken Tesla for EV sales globally, BYD – which produces both hybrids and EVs – has cut its prices by more than one-third in China this year. When they're not accompanied by higher sales, lower prices and therefore profits can result in a reduced focus on quality, innovation, investment and, for governments, reduced tax revenue and impacts on the broader economy. The Chinese government is looking to correct the balance, given the unsustainable climate that currently exists – which is also hampered by tariffs from both the European Union (EU) and the US. While exports are a way to address overcapacity, tariffs may force Chinese automakers to expand supply chains globally, as BYD did by opening a plant in Thailand in 2024. It has also announced plans to make cars in Mexico and Brazil, while the first BYD is scheduled to roll off its new European assembly line in Hungary later this tear. More: Donald Trump to hit vehicles built outside the US with landmark tariff More: Tesla loses billion-dollar revenue source as US ditches fuel economy fines Content originally sourced from: The Chinese government has said it will take action to stem the oversupply of new vehicles in China, which it says has led to domestic price wars and "irrational competition" that is destroying the industry's profitability. The move to focus on a sustainable auto industry could put an end to cut-price Chinese cars and provide consumers with better vehicles – but at higher prices. In a state council report published last week, Chinese authorities admitted the country had an oversupply of new vehicles from its factories – something it previously denied. The claim is backed up by data which reveals a 49.1 per cent utilisation rate of the country's car-producing capability in 2024 – which still saw 31.8 million new vehicles roll out of automaking facilities in the world's largest car market last year. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The figures put China's current car-making capacity at around 55.5 million annually – more than two-thirds of the 74.6 million vehicles sold in the entire world last year. Chinese state media published the report in which the government vowed to rein in the climate of "irrational competition" due to over-production and says it will address what it sees as a imbalance between supply and demand. The Chinese government says it will more closely monitor prices, costs and product quality across the domestic automotive supply chain – where automakers are more fixated on maintaining market share than profits, according to CNBC. Consumers have been paying less for new cars in China, where an ultra-competitive battle across the industry has driven prices down for the past three years. More cars have been sold in China each year than anywhere else in the world since 2009, when it overtook the US, with sales tripling since then. Domestic new-vehicle sales in China amounted to 33.1 million in 2024, but more than 22 million were exported to markets including Australia, which accounted for only 54,344 cars or less than 0.2 per cent of vehicles shipped overseas. The export figure may also include controversial 'zero mileage' vehicles, as part of a process which came into the spotlight after it was criticised by GWM chairman Wei Jianjun in May 2025. 'Zero-mileage cars' come from Chinese automakers who have allegedly recorded vehicles as being sold domestically – to meet local quotas – before shipping them overseas where they are sold as used cars. This is a way to inflate Chinese domestic sales figures and which has also led to reduced sticker prices (and falling profit margins), prompting GWM's public calling out of the practice which is set to be banned. Despite being consolidated from hundreds of brands previously, of the dozens of automakers in China less than a handful are currently profitable – led by BYD, Geely (which controls Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and others) and SAIC (MG, LDV and IM Motors). While it has overtaken Tesla for EV sales globally, BYD – which produces both hybrids and EVs – has cut its prices by more than one-third in China this year. When they're not accompanied by higher sales, lower prices and therefore profits can result in a reduced focus on quality, innovation, investment and, for governments, reduced tax revenue and impacts on the broader economy. The Chinese government is looking to correct the balance, given the unsustainable climate that currently exists – which is also hampered by tariffs from both the European Union (EU) and the US. While exports are a way to address overcapacity, tariffs may force Chinese automakers to expand supply chains globally, as BYD did by opening a plant in Thailand in 2024. It has also announced plans to make cars in Mexico and Brazil, while the first BYD is scheduled to roll off its new European assembly line in Hungary later this tear. More: Donald Trump to hit vehicles built outside the US with landmark tariff More: Tesla loses billion-dollar revenue source as US ditches fuel economy fines Content originally sourced from: The Chinese government has said it will take action to stem the oversupply of new vehicles in China, which it says has led to domestic price wars and "irrational competition" that is destroying the industry's profitability. The move to focus on a sustainable auto industry could put an end to cut-price Chinese cars and provide consumers with better vehicles – but at higher prices. In a state council report published last week, Chinese authorities admitted the country had an oversupply of new vehicles from its factories – something it previously denied. The claim is backed up by data which reveals a 49.1 per cent utilisation rate of the country's car-producing capability in 2024 – which still saw 31.8 million new vehicles roll out of automaking facilities in the world's largest car market last year. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The figures put China's current car-making capacity at around 55.5 million annually – more than two-thirds of the 74.6 million vehicles sold in the entire world last year. Chinese state media published the report in which the government vowed to rein in the climate of "irrational competition" due to over-production and says it will address what it sees as a imbalance between supply and demand. The Chinese government says it will more closely monitor prices, costs and product quality across the domestic automotive supply chain – where automakers are more fixated on maintaining market share than profits, according to CNBC. Consumers have been paying less for new cars in China, where an ultra-competitive battle across the industry has driven prices down for the past three years. More cars have been sold in China each year than anywhere else in the world since 2009, when it overtook the US, with sales tripling since then. Domestic new-vehicle sales in China amounted to 33.1 million in 2024, but more than 22 million were exported to markets including Australia, which accounted for only 54,344 cars or less than 0.2 per cent of vehicles shipped overseas. The export figure may also include controversial 'zero mileage' vehicles, as part of a process which came into the spotlight after it was criticised by GWM chairman Wei Jianjun in May 2025. 'Zero-mileage cars' come from Chinese automakers who have allegedly recorded vehicles as being sold domestically – to meet local quotas – before shipping them overseas where they are sold as used cars. This is a way to inflate Chinese domestic sales figures and which has also led to reduced sticker prices (and falling profit margins), prompting GWM's public calling out of the practice which is set to be banned. Despite being consolidated from hundreds of brands previously, of the dozens of automakers in China less than a handful are currently profitable – led by BYD, Geely (which controls Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and others) and SAIC (MG, LDV and IM Motors). While it has overtaken Tesla for EV sales globally, BYD – which produces both hybrids and EVs – has cut its prices by more than one-third in China this year. When they're not accompanied by higher sales, lower prices and therefore profits can result in a reduced focus on quality, innovation, investment and, for governments, reduced tax revenue and impacts on the broader economy. The Chinese government is looking to correct the balance, given the unsustainable climate that currently exists – which is also hampered by tariffs from both the European Union (EU) and the US. While exports are a way to address overcapacity, tariffs may force Chinese automakers to expand supply chains globally, as BYD did by opening a plant in Thailand in 2024. It has also announced plans to make cars in Mexico and Brazil, while the first BYD is scheduled to roll off its new European assembly line in Hungary later this tear. More: Donald Trump to hit vehicles built outside the US with landmark tariff More: Tesla loses billion-dollar revenue source as US ditches fuel economy fines Content originally sourced from: The Chinese government has said it will take action to stem the oversupply of new vehicles in China, which it says has led to domestic price wars and "irrational competition" that is destroying the industry's profitability. The move to focus on a sustainable auto industry could put an end to cut-price Chinese cars and provide consumers with better vehicles – but at higher prices. In a state council report published last week, Chinese authorities admitted the country had an oversupply of new vehicles from its factories – something it previously denied. The claim is backed up by data which reveals a 49.1 per cent utilisation rate of the country's car-producing capability in 2024 – which still saw 31.8 million new vehicles roll out of automaking facilities in the world's largest car market last year. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The figures put China's current car-making capacity at around 55.5 million annually – more than two-thirds of the 74.6 million vehicles sold in the entire world last year. Chinese state media published the report in which the government vowed to rein in the climate of "irrational competition" due to over-production and says it will address what it sees as a imbalance between supply and demand. The Chinese government says it will more closely monitor prices, costs and product quality across the domestic automotive supply chain – where automakers are more fixated on maintaining market share than profits, according to CNBC. Consumers have been paying less for new cars in China, where an ultra-competitive battle across the industry has driven prices down for the past three years. More cars have been sold in China each year than anywhere else in the world since 2009, when it overtook the US, with sales tripling since then. Domestic new-vehicle sales in China amounted to 33.1 million in 2024, but more than 22 million were exported to markets including Australia, which accounted for only 54,344 cars or less than 0.2 per cent of vehicles shipped overseas. The export figure may also include controversial 'zero mileage' vehicles, as part of a process which came into the spotlight after it was criticised by GWM chairman Wei Jianjun in May 2025. 'Zero-mileage cars' come from Chinese automakers who have allegedly recorded vehicles as being sold domestically – to meet local quotas – before shipping them overseas where they are sold as used cars. This is a way to inflate Chinese domestic sales figures and which has also led to reduced sticker prices (and falling profit margins), prompting GWM's public calling out of the practice which is set to be banned. Despite being consolidated from hundreds of brands previously, of the dozens of automakers in China less than a handful are currently profitable – led by BYD, Geely (which controls Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and others) and SAIC (MG, LDV and IM Motors). While it has overtaken Tesla for EV sales globally, BYD – which produces both hybrids and EVs – has cut its prices by more than one-third in China this year. When they're not accompanied by higher sales, lower prices and therefore profits can result in a reduced focus on quality, innovation, investment and, for governments, reduced tax revenue and impacts on the broader economy. The Chinese government is looking to correct the balance, given the unsustainable climate that currently exists – which is also hampered by tariffs from both the European Union (EU) and the US. While exports are a way to address overcapacity, tariffs may force Chinese automakers to expand supply chains globally, as BYD did by opening a plant in Thailand in 2024. It has also announced plans to make cars in Mexico and Brazil, while the first BYD is scheduled to roll off its new European assembly line in Hungary later this tear. More: Donald Trump to hit vehicles built outside the US with landmark tariff More: Tesla loses billion-dollar revenue source as US ditches fuel economy fines Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
GWM Tank 500 diesel debuts, but Australians will have to wait
TheGWM Tank 500 is gaining a diesel option in Thailand, but for now Australia will stick with hybrid and plug-in hybrid power. That's despite the smaller Tank 300 receiving a turbo-diesel engine earlier this year, which has quickly become the most popular powertrain in that lineup. The Toyota Prado-rivalling Tank 500 is receiving the same 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that's seen in the related GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 300, for the Thai market. However, this vehicle is being built in Thailand, and GWM Australia has confirmed our Tank 500 will continue to be sourced from China. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new GWM Tank 500. Click here to get a great deal. The 2.4-litre turbo-diesel produces 135kW and 480Nm of torque in the Thai-market Tank 500, and is available with either rear- or four-wheel drive. The diesel-powered model is distinguished by a repositioned spare wheel, mounted under the vehicle instead of on the tailgate. GWM has previously hinted the Tank 500 will gain an upcoming four-cylinder 3.0-litre turbo-diesel in Australia. The bigger new engine, due for release around 2027, will also be fitted to the Cannon Alpha and Tank 700 off-road SUV, producing more power and torque than the brand's existing 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre oilers. "Some powertrain, especially [in] the high-end SUV, will need the high-torque [engine]," GWM International vice president James Yang told Australian media in Shanghai earlier this year. "So in China, or other market, we'll have the 2.4-litre diesel, especially in Thailand… But I think in Australia, the high-torque, big engine [is needed]. So for some products, we'll wait for this engine to launch in Australia." It won't be the first Tank 500 powertrain Australia will miss out on, with a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 also offered overseas but not here. GWM believes it can offset the emissions of its turbo-diesel offerings with a range of hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) "So in the future, I think the Australian market, the PHEV, and HEV, plus diesel is a good choice for the customer… and also we have the EV, but I think for some scenarios the sales volume can be not very high," said Mr Yang. "So maybe these are the three types of powertrain that's much better for this market and also can balance the emissions." GWM now offers hybrid powertrains across its Haval Jolion, Haval H6, Haval H7, Tank 300 and Tank 500 lineups, plus PHEV versions of the Haval H6 GT and Cannon Alpha (and, soon, the Tank 500). It has just one EV, the Ora hatch, but it'll be joined by two more EVs by the end of next year. Petrol power continues to be offered in the Haval Jolion, Haval H6 and Haval H6 GT lineups, and diesel power in the Tank 300, Cannon and Cannon Alpha. The company has said its hybrid-heavy lineup has already allowed it to start accumulating credits under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), meaning it can continue to offer diesel models without copping financial penalties, and also avoid imposing price rises on customers as other brands have done. GWM wants to be a top-five automotive brand in Australia by 2030, with plans to surpass 50,000 sales this year and reach 75,000 annual deliveries by the end of the decade. MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 500 showroom Content originally sourced from: TheGWM Tank 500 is gaining a diesel option in Thailand, but for now Australia will stick with hybrid and plug-in hybrid power. That's despite the smaller Tank 300 receiving a turbo-diesel engine earlier this year, which has quickly become the most popular powertrain in that lineup. The Toyota Prado-rivalling Tank 500 is receiving the same 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that's seen in the related GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 300, for the Thai market. However, this vehicle is being built in Thailand, and GWM Australia has confirmed our Tank 500 will continue to be sourced from China. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new GWM Tank 500. Click here to get a great deal. The 2.4-litre turbo-diesel produces 135kW and 480Nm of torque in the Thai-market Tank 500, and is available with either rear- or four-wheel drive. The diesel-powered model is distinguished by a repositioned spare wheel, mounted under the vehicle instead of on the tailgate. GWM has previously hinted the Tank 500 will gain an upcoming four-cylinder 3.0-litre turbo-diesel in Australia. The bigger new engine, due for release around 2027, will also be fitted to the Cannon Alpha and Tank 700 off-road SUV, producing more power and torque than the brand's existing 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre oilers. "Some powertrain, especially [in] the high-end SUV, will need the high-torque [engine]," GWM International vice president James Yang told Australian media in Shanghai earlier this year. "So in China, or other market, we'll have the 2.4-litre diesel, especially in Thailand… But I think in Australia, the high-torque, big engine [is needed]. So for some products, we'll wait for this engine to launch in Australia." It won't be the first Tank 500 powertrain Australia will miss out on, with a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 also offered overseas but not here. GWM believes it can offset the emissions of its turbo-diesel offerings with a range of hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) "So in the future, I think the Australian market, the PHEV, and HEV, plus diesel is a good choice for the customer… and also we have the EV, but I think for some scenarios the sales volume can be not very high," said Mr Yang. "So maybe these are the three types of powertrain that's much better for this market and also can balance the emissions." GWM now offers hybrid powertrains across its Haval Jolion, Haval H6, Haval H7, Tank 300 and Tank 500 lineups, plus PHEV versions of the Haval H6 GT and Cannon Alpha (and, soon, the Tank 500). It has just one EV, the Ora hatch, but it'll be joined by two more EVs by the end of next year. Petrol power continues to be offered in the Haval Jolion, Haval H6 and Haval H6 GT lineups, and diesel power in the Tank 300, Cannon and Cannon Alpha. The company has said its hybrid-heavy lineup has already allowed it to start accumulating credits under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), meaning it can continue to offer diesel models without copping financial penalties, and also avoid imposing price rises on customers as other brands have done. GWM wants to be a top-five automotive brand in Australia by 2030, with plans to surpass 50,000 sales this year and reach 75,000 annual deliveries by the end of the decade. MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 500 showroom Content originally sourced from: TheGWM Tank 500 is gaining a diesel option in Thailand, but for now Australia will stick with hybrid and plug-in hybrid power. That's despite the smaller Tank 300 receiving a turbo-diesel engine earlier this year, which has quickly become the most popular powertrain in that lineup. The Toyota Prado-rivalling Tank 500 is receiving the same 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that's seen in the related GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 300, for the Thai market. However, this vehicle is being built in Thailand, and GWM Australia has confirmed our Tank 500 will continue to be sourced from China. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new GWM Tank 500. Click here to get a great deal. The 2.4-litre turbo-diesel produces 135kW and 480Nm of torque in the Thai-market Tank 500, and is available with either rear- or four-wheel drive. The diesel-powered model is distinguished by a repositioned spare wheel, mounted under the vehicle instead of on the tailgate. GWM has previously hinted the Tank 500 will gain an upcoming four-cylinder 3.0-litre turbo-diesel in Australia. The bigger new engine, due for release around 2027, will also be fitted to the Cannon Alpha and Tank 700 off-road SUV, producing more power and torque than the brand's existing 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre oilers. "Some powertrain, especially [in] the high-end SUV, will need the high-torque [engine]," GWM International vice president James Yang told Australian media in Shanghai earlier this year. "So in China, or other market, we'll have the 2.4-litre diesel, especially in Thailand… But I think in Australia, the high-torque, big engine [is needed]. So for some products, we'll wait for this engine to launch in Australia." It won't be the first Tank 500 powertrain Australia will miss out on, with a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 also offered overseas but not here. GWM believes it can offset the emissions of its turbo-diesel offerings with a range of hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) "So in the future, I think the Australian market, the PHEV, and HEV, plus diesel is a good choice for the customer… and also we have the EV, but I think for some scenarios the sales volume can be not very high," said Mr Yang. "So maybe these are the three types of powertrain that's much better for this market and also can balance the emissions." GWM now offers hybrid powertrains across its Haval Jolion, Haval H6, Haval H7, Tank 300 and Tank 500 lineups, plus PHEV versions of the Haval H6 GT and Cannon Alpha (and, soon, the Tank 500). It has just one EV, the Ora hatch, but it'll be joined by two more EVs by the end of next year. Petrol power continues to be offered in the Haval Jolion, Haval H6 and Haval H6 GT lineups, and diesel power in the Tank 300, Cannon and Cannon Alpha. The company has said its hybrid-heavy lineup has already allowed it to start accumulating credits under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), meaning it can continue to offer diesel models without copping financial penalties, and also avoid imposing price rises on customers as other brands have done. GWM wants to be a top-five automotive brand in Australia by 2030, with plans to surpass 50,000 sales this year and reach 75,000 annual deliveries by the end of the decade. MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 500 showroom Content originally sourced from: TheGWM Tank 500 is gaining a diesel option in Thailand, but for now Australia will stick with hybrid and plug-in hybrid power. That's despite the smaller Tank 300 receiving a turbo-diesel engine earlier this year, which has quickly become the most popular powertrain in that lineup. The Toyota Prado-rivalling Tank 500 is receiving the same 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that's seen in the related GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 300, for the Thai market. However, this vehicle is being built in Thailand, and GWM Australia has confirmed our Tank 500 will continue to be sourced from China. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new GWM Tank 500. Click here to get a great deal. The 2.4-litre turbo-diesel produces 135kW and 480Nm of torque in the Thai-market Tank 500, and is available with either rear- or four-wheel drive. The diesel-powered model is distinguished by a repositioned spare wheel, mounted under the vehicle instead of on the tailgate. GWM has previously hinted the Tank 500 will gain an upcoming four-cylinder 3.0-litre turbo-diesel in Australia. The bigger new engine, due for release around 2027, will also be fitted to the Cannon Alpha and Tank 700 off-road SUV, producing more power and torque than the brand's existing 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre oilers. "Some powertrain, especially [in] the high-end SUV, will need the high-torque [engine]," GWM International vice president James Yang told Australian media in Shanghai earlier this year. "So in China, or other market, we'll have the 2.4-litre diesel, especially in Thailand… But I think in Australia, the high-torque, big engine [is needed]. So for some products, we'll wait for this engine to launch in Australia." It won't be the first Tank 500 powertrain Australia will miss out on, with a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 also offered overseas but not here. GWM believes it can offset the emissions of its turbo-diesel offerings with a range of hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) "So in the future, I think the Australian market, the PHEV, and HEV, plus diesel is a good choice for the customer… and also we have the EV, but I think for some scenarios the sales volume can be not very high," said Mr Yang. "So maybe these are the three types of powertrain that's much better for this market and also can balance the emissions." GWM now offers hybrid powertrains across its Haval Jolion, Haval H6, Haval H7, Tank 300 and Tank 500 lineups, plus PHEV versions of the Haval H6 GT and Cannon Alpha (and, soon, the Tank 500). It has just one EV, the Ora hatch, but it'll be joined by two more EVs by the end of next year. Petrol power continues to be offered in the Haval Jolion, Haval H6 and Haval H6 GT lineups, and diesel power in the Tank 300, Cannon and Cannon Alpha. The company has said its hybrid-heavy lineup has already allowed it to start accumulating credits under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), meaning it can continue to offer diesel models without copping financial penalties, and also avoid imposing price rises on customers as other brands have done. GWM wants to be a top-five automotive brand in Australia by 2030, with plans to surpass 50,000 sales this year and reach 75,000 annual deliveries by the end of the decade. MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 500 showroom Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
a day ago
- 7NEWS
GWM Tank 500 diesel debuts, but Australians will have to wait
The GWM Tank 500 is gaining a diesel option in Thailand, but for now Australia will stick with hybrid and plug-in hybrid power. That's despite the smaller Tank 300 receiving a turbo-diesel engine earlier this year, which has quickly become the most popular powertrain in that lineup. The Toyota Prado -rivalling Tank 500 is receiving the same 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that's seen in the related GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 300, for the Thai market. However, this vehicle is being built in Thailand, and GWM Australia has confirmed our Tank 500 will continue to be sourced from China. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new GWM Tank 500. Click here to get a great deal. The 2.4-litre turbo-diesel produces 135kW and 480Nm of torque in the Thai-market Tank 500, and is available with either rear- or four-wheel drive. The diesel-powered model is distinguished by a repositioned spare wheel, mounted under the vehicle instead of on the tailgate. GWM has previously hinted the Tank 500 will gain an upcoming four-cylinder 3.0-litre turbo-diesel in Australia. The bigger new engine, due for release around 2027, will also be fitted to the Cannon Alpha and Tank 700 off-road SUV, producing more power and torque than the brand's existing 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre oilers. 'Some powertrain, especially [in] the high-end SUV, will need the high-torque [engine],' GWM International vice president James Yang told Australian media in Shanghai earlier this year. 'So in China, or other market, we'll have the 2.4-litre diesel, especially in Thailand… But I think in Australia, the high-torque, big engine [is needed]. So for some products, we'll wait for this engine to launch in Australia.' It won't be the first Tank 500 powertrain Australia will miss out on, with a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 also offered overseas but not here. GWM believes it can offset the emissions of its turbo-diesel offerings with a range of hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) 'So in the future, I think the Australian market, the PHEV, and HEV, plus diesel is a good choice for the customer… and also we have the EV, but I think for some scenarios the sales volume can be not very high,' said Mr Yang. 'So maybe these are the three types of powertrain that's much better for this market and also can balance the emissions.' GWM now offers hybrid powertrains across its Haval Jolion, Haval H6, Haval H7, Tank 300 and Tank 500 lineups, plus PHEV versions of the Haval H6 GT and Cannon Alpha (and, soon, the Tank 500). It has just one EV, the Ora hatch, but it'll be joined by two more EVs by the end of next year. Petrol power continues to be offered in the Haval Jolion, Haval H6 and Haval H6 GT lineups, and diesel power in the Tank 300, Cannon and Cannon Alpha. The company has said its hybrid-heavy lineup has already allowed it to start accumulating credits under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), meaning it can continue to offer diesel models without copping financial penalties, and also avoid imposing price rises on customers as other brands have done. GWM wants to be a top-five automotive brand in Australia by 2030, with plans to surpass 50,000 sales this year and reach 75,000 annual deliveries by the end of the decade.
