Room for more Chinese utes: Great Wall

GREAT Wall says it is not threatened by the introduction of another Chinese dual-cab one-tonne ute – the LDV T60 that began sales late last year – suggesting that the LDV and its Steed pick-up share different positions in the light-commercial market.

Speaking to GoAuto during the launch of sister brand Haval’s H9 large SUV, Great Wall public relations and product specialist Andrew Ellis said there was room for both and that the Steed is aimed at the value-conscious consumer, whereas the T60 is geared towards the higher end of the segment.

“I think they’re in competition more with that upper-luxury ute and trying to steal from that market, I actually think we play in two different markets there,” he said.

“I think it will sell well. Different proposition though, like the Steed is value, it’s all about trying to get the best value at the best possible price, so a big price point difference.”

LDV’s T60 4x4 dual-cab ute kicks off from $30,516 driveaway for the diesel-only 110kW/360Nm 2.8-litre turbocharged Pro, which also sports blind-spot monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring system, adaptive and automatic front lighting, cruise control, and 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

By comparison, the Great Wall’s 4x4 dual-cab diesel Steed is powered by 110kW/310Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and is more sparsely equipped for a $29,990 driveaway price.

In addition, the LDV T60 managed a five-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) crash safety rating last year, easily surpassing the Steed’s two-star result from 2016.

Mr Ellis said the LDV T60, in addition to the mechanically related D90 large SUV and MG GS crossover which all scored maximum safety marks, is a welcome addition to the Australian market to help dispel the perception of unsafe Chinese vehicles.

“Look, it’s a good ute,” he said. “It’s a good product, they’ve done really well with it.

“I personally find it exciting because it’s another Chinese brand and it raises the perception again. I mean last year we had three Chinese vehicles get a five-star rating in ANCAP – that helps the brands as I see it.

“That helps the overall perception of Chinese cars.”

Great Wall’s Steed competes directly against other value utes including the JMC Vigus, Foton Tunland and Mahindra Pik-Up, and will receive a boost in March with the introduction of a cab-chassis version.

“From a commercial standpoint, cab-chassis will go on sale in March, we’ll release pricing and details closer to launch, but our plan is to be Australia’s sharpest priced single-cab chassis,” Mr Ellis said.

The oil-burning dual-cab Steed kicks-off at $24,990 driveaway for the 110kW/310Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel 4x2 version.

The cheapest diesel-powered cab-chassis currently available in Australia is the Mahindra Pik-up that is priced from $19,990 driveaway.

Last year, Great Wall found 404 new homes for its Steed in 4x2 and 4x4 guise, whereas LDV sold 334 T60s in the two months it was on sale in 2017.