SHANGHAI AUTO SHOW: Great Wall plans great model rush
New Chinese utes, small cars and SUVs on the horizonThe Australian distributors of Great Wall Motors vehicles have had a strong start to the year -- sales are up 20 per cent -- but they may also have a strong finish if their Christmas wishes come true.
Executives for importers Ateco Automotive were at Auto Shanghai trying to get more supply of existing models, and also to lodge urgent requests for at least four new cars at the show.
On the wish list:
A new, bigger and tougher looking crew-cab pick-up called the CL, with a bigger cargo bed and carrying capacity than what is offered currently -- and which appears to have been inspired by the US-only Toyota Tundra;
An elegantly-designed softroader called the H6 -- similar in size to the Hyundai Santa Fe;
A sleek, small sedan called the C50 -- which appears to been inspired by a Mitsubishi Lancer;
A fun-looking, high-riding version of the Voleex -- which looks like a cross between a Yaris hatch and a Suzuki SX4.
Great Wall Motors Australia general manager Peter McGeown told the Carsales Network at the show: "We want them all, but when and if we can get them is another matter.
"Some of them are available in right-hand-drive and some of them are yet to be developed, but Great Wall Motors in China have been very receptive to our requests.
"We've proven with the early success of the V series utes in such a short time that there is volume there, we just need more vehicles."
A regular version of the Voleex -- likely to be called C10 in Australia -- is due in Australia by the end of the year and will be the first Chinese-branded vehicle on sale in Australia with six airbags.
Meanwhile the C50 small sedan could be in Australian showrooms by late this year or early next, depending on the development of right-hand-drive.
Great Wall Motors ute sales have almost doubled since the arrival of a diesel option late last year.
The company has sold more than 1600 vehicles in the first three months of this year which ranks it ahead of such brands as Dodge, Fiat, Citroen, Chrysler, Isuzu, Land Rover, Mini, Peugeot, Skoda, Renault and Volvo in terms of sales volume.
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