GWM in a good place with NVES

SOME brands are in a (much) better position than others when it comes to the implications of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) that bites on July 1 with likely accompanying new car price rises on some models.

 

Though offsets are possible, government-imposed penalties for vehicles that do not comply with mandated CO2 levels will be passed on by manufacturers to consumers potentially adding thousands to the bottom line.

 

Multi-faceted Chinese brand GWM, that has had a presence in Australia for decades and aspirations of 50,000 sales this year, is possibly best placed among all affordable makes Down Under in relation to the NVES as it has a wide range of low emission electrified vehicles (LEVs) either available, already here or scheduled to arrive in the next year or two.

 

These include seven new models slated for 2025 (mostly electrified) and another seven slated for 2026 in fully electric (BEV), hybrid electric (HEV) and despite an end to FBT exemption for PHEVs, plug-in hybrids are on GWM’s agenda in its quest to become “the biggest hybrid brand”.

 

As of now, it offers its Jolion small SUV in petrol and petrol hybrid, the H6 medium SUV in petrol and petrol hybrid, the H6 GT coupe medium SUV in petrol and petrol PHEV, the Tank 300 medium off roader in petrol and petrol hybrid, the Tank 500 large SUV in petrol hybrid, the Cannon one-tonne ute in diesel, the Cannon Alpha large ute in petrol hybrid and diesel, and the Ora small hatch as a fully electric BEV.

 

On examination, Toyota tops the electrified vehicle space Down Under followed by Hyundai for total electrified vehicle sales, but BMW has the widest range, something GWM is targeting and a situation likely to change this year as the latter embarks on a new model spree most of which are electrified in some way, shape or form.

 

The Chinese manufacturer has just introduced a new 2.4-litre diesel ICE Cannon one-tonne ute coinciding with the arrival of an H6 GT PHEV medium size coupe SUV with a 2.4-litre diesel Tank 300 due later in March followed by a Cannon Alpha PHEV large format ute in Q2, 2025.

 

New H6 hybrid and PHEV models arrive in Q2 with AWD availability.

 

The GWM Haval H7 (Big Dog in other markets) medium SUV built on the H6 platform with solely PHEV powertrain availability arrives in Q3.

 

Next year shapes up as more of the same from GWM with another seven new or significantly revised electrified models in the pipeline, the company placing greater emphasis on PHEV powertrains including the Tank 500.

 

Looking at the shorter term, the next cab off the rank in a week or two is the Haval H6GT PHEV, a sledgehammer performance medium-size coupe SUV with a turbo 1.5-litre petrol engine supplying motive power and electrons to dual electric motors, one at each axle that combined produce some 325kW and 768Nm.

 

The model uses a 35kWh battery for an EV-only range of a claimed 180km and a total NEDC claimed range of 1000km+.

 

Fast charging is available from 30-80 per cent in 26 minutes using a DC charger. Three-mode regenerative braking extends the model’s range.

 

Visit GoAuto again soon for our Australian launch review of the 2025 GWM Haval H6GT PHEV.