Ateco Automotive has been in negotiation with two Chinese brands, Chery and Great Wall Motors (GWM), with a view to selling their product ranges in Australia. Now the company has confirmed that GWM models will be sold in Australia, commencing with the release of the double cab Ute in October.

The distributor -- also the franchisee for Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Ferrari, Fiat and Maserati -- will launch the Chery range in Australia, but that won't happen before early 2009 (more here).

Ateco intends to have a 50-dealer network established when the GWM double cab Ute goes on sale. It is expected to sell at a price well below $20,000 and will be joined in due course by a single cab version, an SUV and a light-segment passenger car from the same company.

"From day one we have been thoroughly impressed with GWM," says Ric Hull, Managing Director of Ateco.

"World class production facilities are becoming commonplace in China and there is no doubt that GWM has set the production benchmark.  But what sets GWM apart is the corporate culture that permeates through the organisation.  The company motto is 'Improving little by little every day' and from what we have seen the staff really do live and breathe this philosophy. Every time we go to GWM's head office in Baoding, we are impressed by the progress that has been made since our last visit."

Ateco will announce full specs and pricing closer to the launch date.

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