Pros Overflowing with features Practical cabin layout with spacious second row Powerful hybrid engine with decent efficiency Long warranty coverage Cons Front-wheel drive only Paranoid active safety tech No spare tyre, just a repair kit On-road manners ne

GWM, short for Great Wall Motor, is a Chinese automotive group established in 1984. Its Australian range is centred on SUVs and light commercial vehicles, with additional models offered across wagon and hatchback categories. The brand also operates the Haval and ORA nameplates, broadening its coverage into family SUVs and electric vehicles.

GWM began selling vehicles in Australia in 2009 through an independent distributor. Since then, Australia has become one of the company’s most important export markets, with the Haval H6 and Jolion SUVs and the GWM ute becoming established parts of the local range.

The GWM Ute is sold in Australia as a dual-cab model under the GWM name, although the vehicle is produced by the company’s POER subsidiary. Its layout combines an enclosed passenger cabin with an open rear tray, making it suitable for carrying people and equipment. The range is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, and the Cannon name is used for the Australian-market ute.

GWM’s SUV line-up uses a broader mix of powertrains. The Haval Jolion is listed with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, while the Haval H6 range includes a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine in the H6 GT. The brand has also expanded into hybrid vehicles, including recent Haval models featured in Australian reviews.

Manufacturing is spread across facilities in China, with additional production operations in Thailand and India. This international manufacturing footprint is supported by a global supplier network. The company’s long-term reliability in Australia remains something that will become clearer as more vehicles accumulate age and kilometres, although the brand has continued to modernise its production facilities.

• Australian model coverage includes SUVs, utes, wagons and hatchbacks.
• The GWM Ute is available locally as a dual-cab vehicle.
• GWM Ute variants use a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine.
• Haval models provide petrol and hybrid powertrain options.
• The GWM Ute offers satellite navigation, with entry-level versions featuring a 9.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
• The GWM Cannon has a maximum braked towing capacity of 3,000kg and an unbraked limit of 750kg.