Great Wall Motor's Haval range of SUVs heading to India, to be showcased at Auto Expo 2020

Chinese automobile brand Great Wall Motor will soon debut in the country with the showcase of its products at the 2020 Auto Expo. It will be the second Chinese automobile manufacturer to enter India after the SAIC owned MG Motor that launched the Hector SUV this year and will also showcase the ZS EV next month. Great Wall Motors was founded in the year 1984 and has emerged as one of the most popular SUV and pick-up brands in China. The company offers its range through two brands, Haval and WEY. While Haval makes SUVs and is the one to arrive in India next year, WEY is more of a premium offering. The latter has sold over 3 lakh vehicles in the past three years in China and plans to enter Europe in 2021 and North America in 2023.

Global background of Haval

Great Wall Motor (GWM) product portfolio of SUVs, passenger cars and pick-up trucks were being sold under the brand names of Haval, Voleex and Wingle. However in 2013, Haval started its independent operations with an SUV only portfolio. The company started with total global sales of 2.08 lakh units which by 2018 went up to 7.66 lakh units. Haval established its presence in numerous countries such as Egypt, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Italy, Russia, Ireland, New Zealand,Colombia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Korea, Malaysia,Sri Lanka and Nepal. Interestingly, Haval has also been participating in the Dakar rally championships with the Haval H8.

Haval's global product range

The Haval's range of SUs include Haval H1, Haval H2, Haval H2s, Haval H4, Haval H5, Haval H6/Haval H6 Sport, Haval H6 Coupe, Haval H7/Haval H7L, Haval H8, Haval H9, Haval M6, Haval F5, Haval F7 and also the H9. The smallest SUV, the Haval H1 is essentially an entry-level crossover that is priced at 80000 Chinese Yuan Renminbi (Rs 8.18 lakh) while top of the line H9 is a full size SUV that competes with the likes of the Ford Endeavour, Mahindra Alturas and the Toyota Fortuner and is priced at an equivalent of Rs 23.50 lakh. The Haval range of SUVs are manufactured at  Baoding and Tianjin. They are also assembled in Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Bulgaria, etc.

GWM India plans

GWM had already hinted making an entry in India a few years ago. The company recently made it formal by earmarking an investment of Rs 7,000 crore for this venture. The corporate office will be based out of Gurgaon but the manufacturing setup will be established in Maharashtra, which was earlier supposed to be Gujarat. In fact, GWM has previously shortlisted other states such as AP, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. GWM could zero in on the land that was previously owned by Foton Motors in Chakan near Pune or the GM's Talegaon unit that manufactures Chevy's models for exports. The company would be soon releasing the official MoU of the deal that would also put some light on the company's manufacturing plans in India. The Chinese carmaker had already set up its India division, Haval Motor India in October, but given that this happened before the new, lowered corporate tax rates, the firm is looking to set up another unit, Great Wall Motor India to make use of this concession. The Indian operations will be headed by Qingke Shi, who along with Baoyu Chong are also on the entity's board. Former Maruti Suzuki executive, Kaushik Ganguly will head the India product strategy.

Haval SUVs likely to be launched in India

1) Haval H2 SUV

Rivals: Kia Seltos  and Hyundai Creta

The Haval H2 SUV gets a basic design unlike the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta, that it will be rivaling with. However, we are not sure if GWM will be bringing the H2 in the present form or will make changes to the design to make it more suitable for Indian preferences. In term of features, the Haval H2 comes with projector light, LED DRLS,  touchscreen infotainment system, digital MID, dual-zone climate control, tyre pressure monitoring system, push button start, reverse camera, keyless entry, six-way electrically adjustable driver's seat and sunroof. The Haval H2 is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine that makes 148PS and 210Nm. This engine ifs offered with a 6-speed manual and an optional 6-speed automatic transmission. There is no diesel engine option in the Haval H2 and will be offered with an all-wheel drive drivetrain.

2) Haval H6 mid-size SUV

Rivals: Mahindra XUV500, MG Hector and Tata Harrier

The more premium Haval H6 SUV will be positioned above the H2 SUV in India. The Haval H6's design could strike the right chord with the target audience with its aggressive lines. The features list of the Haval H6 includes all-LED lights, six-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, panoramic sunroof and also heated steering wheel. We are sure Haval will tweak the design and features list and offer Car Play and Android Auto compatible infotainment system. The Haval H6 will be offered with two engine options, the 1.5-litre petrol that makes 163PS/230Nm and the 2-litre T-GDI unit that produces 190PS and 340Nm. A 7-speed DCT is the only transmission option with both these engines. Similar to the H2, Haval does not offer diesel on the H6 as well.

3) Haval H9 SUV

Rivals: Toyota Fortuner, Mahindra Alturas and Ford Endeavour

The Haval H9 is a body on frame SUV that will lock horns with the like of the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour. The H9 makes use of a 2-litre that puts out 215PS of power and generates 324Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The features list includes ventilated seats with seat massage system, touchscreen infotainment system, electronic stability control. The all terrain control system of the Haval H9 comes with  AUTO, 4L, Sport, Sand, Snow, and Mud Road drive modes.