Great Wall Motors has confirmed its participation at the 2020 Auto Expo as the Haval brand’s SUV lineup could be on display
SAIC-owned MG Motor’s positive response among Indian customers has sparkled new Chinese manufacturers as Great Wall Motors and FAW Group have long been reported to make an entry in the near future in the domestic market. Both have confirmed their participation at the 2020 Auto Expo in February as a pre-cursor to their arrival. FAW coming up with the Haima brand while GWM bringing Haval brand.
Reports emerged on the internet earlier suggested that the Chinese state-owned Great Wall Motors is looking to invest more than one billion USD locally. Moreover, it had also been said that the Indian operations would be headquartered at Gurgaon in Haryana. It must be noted that Great Wall’s Haval brand will lead the charge.
The domestic subsidiary could be named India Haval Auto Sales or India Haval Auto as GWM was said to have allotted 1.6 million USD for local establishments. Location scouting for a manufacturing plant is also on full swing as the largest producer of pickups and sports utility vehicles could roll out its first product by 2022.
To succeed in India, competitive pricing and stuffed features list are necessary and thus the reported Haval H6 SUV may carry high local content. The H6 coupe SUV was already spotted in India as well several months ago. It takes power from a 1.5-litre turbocharged motor developing 169 hp and 280 Nm in China. It has the potential to rival MG Hector, Tata Harrier and Jeep Compass.
The 2.0-litre T-GDI petrol engine, on the other hand, kicks out 190 hp and 340 Nm and is connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. A 2.0-litre Fiat-sourced diesel could also be on the cards. Along with the H6, the entire Haval range could be displayed by Great Wall Motors at the biennial motoring show.
Great Wall Motors could look into creating a premium brand image among potential buyers first before launching electrified models and the Auto Expo is expected to be used as a testbed for garnering initial impressions from show-goers and media.