The Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition – or Auto Shanghai for short – is, simply put, the largest and, some would argue, the most important auto expo in the world. Naturally, we wouldn’t miss it for the world, and travelled to China’s financial capital with GWM South Africa last month to discover what this leading Chinese brand is planning for South Africa next.
To describe the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition as bustling is an understatement almost as considerable as the city’s 6,500 m² National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC), where the biennial expo is held. Here, China’s most prominent automobile manufacturers – and, increasingly, the world’s legacy brands – vie for the attention of the world’s media every two years, to showcase how they are advancing the global mobility challenge through innovative technology solutions.
Now, in its 18th year in South Africa, GWM is one of the largest Chinese brands in Mzansi and one of the most prominent brands in China, especially in the off-road market, where one in every two 4x4s sold is a GWM product.
While they are one of the very few Chinese automakers whose mainstream acceptance rivals that of some significantly more established brands in South Africa, GWM used the opportunity at Auto Shanghai 2025 to showcase their next-generation safety, drivetrain, and new-energy technology, much of which will soon find its way to local shores.
HISTORY OF ACTION
Inarguably, GWM’s strength in over 170 export markets is its ability to adapt to local challenges and needs. The simplification of their once-overcomplicated infotainment systems like the original Haval Jolion) based on feedback from South African customers and journalists is one case in point.
The automaker has also made massive strides in developing new technology for global consumption, including a portfolio of seven in-house developed petrol and diesel engines, six transmissions, and new pure electric and hydrogen solutions for its growing range of new energy vehicle options.
While South African GWM fans are still feeling the excitement of GWM’s homegrown 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel mill – recently introduced in both the Tank 300 and new P300 bakkie – there is talk of its new eight-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine (unveiled at Auto Shanghai) possibly heading our way too, and more to learn about another interesting development on the drivetrain front. So let’s get into it.
SAY HELLO TO HI4
Following GWM’s stated aim of continuous improvement on the safety and driving technology fronts, much of the buzz from the GWM stand at Auto Shanghai 2025 still came from its multi-platform plug-in hybrid drivetrain suite, called Hybrid Intelligent 4WD, which was first introduced in 2023.
The technology mainly combines a hybrid-optimised turbo-petrol engine at the front, a platform-specific battery pack placed in the centre of the platform, and a rear-mounted electric motor, in three different chassis configurations: Hi4, for standard plug-in hybrid vehicles; Hi4-T for high-performance applications; and the ultra-long range Hi4-Z system with a 59 kWh battery specifically for off-road vehicles running on a ladder-frame chassis. Although there are many benefits to this setup over more traditional plug-in hybrid configurations, the performance and consumption benefits will make future plug-in hybrid GWM products highly attractive.
THE REALITY
The first new locally available model to feature the Hi4-T tech will also be GWM SA’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle – and its most powerful to date. The 321 kW Haval H6 GT PHEV will boast a 35.4 kWh battery, providing an electric range of up to 180 km and a torque figure of 762 Nm. Although specific numbers are yet to be confirmed, the über-SUV’s official zero to 100 km/h acceleration time is reported to be 4.9 seconds.
Although the H6 will be the first Hi4-powered plug-in hybrid to be introduced to South Africa, it will by no means be the last. All future plug-in hybrids (and GWM already have their proverbial eye on a few options for our market) will feature this technology.
Along with its high-powered sibling, the facelifted H6 also arrives in June, and gets a heart transplant in the form of a redeveloped 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 170 kW.
While unrelated to the show, other news for our market is that the Haval H7 HEV will be available for sale locally from June 2025.
THE SHOWSTOPPERS
Although we likely won’t see its return anytime soon, the body-on-frame Haval H9 shown in Shanghai is a masterpiece of sophistication and design that would directly compete with the likes of the Ford Everest and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. That said, local buyers might not be thrilled about its 2.0-litre four-cylinder powertrain.
Interestingly, GWM’s first locally developed eight-cylinder engine was never destined for four wheels. Although we have been assured that there is “no chance” of it being introduced to Mzansi, the enormous Souo S2000 tourer is the world’s first 2,000 cc displacement motorcycle, and is pegged as a rival to the famed Honda Gold Wing. With the world’s first three-tier double wishbone front suspension (according to GWM), and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, the oversized tourer was another of the crowd-pleasing attractions at GWM’s Auto Shanghai 2025 display.
THE RUMOURS
What would be the point of travelling halfway across the globe to a motor show and not return with a few rumours in hand? Well, the word on the showroom floor is that the 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo mentioned earlier is under consideration for right-hand drive introduction, with the currently HEV-only Tank 500 likely to be the recipient, should this happen.
But why introduce a V8 when the rest of the world is moving away from eight-cylinder powertrains? According to GWM Tank global brand vice president Gu Yukun, the car giant has “solved problems that many overseas carmakers have not”, and that they “still believe that new energy cannot replace the V8 engine.”
Another rumoured local release could be the new Haval Max shown at Shanghai. Although also still “under consideration” for our market, it is a great-looking SUV that’s slightly larger than the current Haval H6, yet carries the distinctive new Haval brand identity, complete with illuminated grille and badges front and rear.
LAST WORD
Auto Shanghai 2025 proved once again that GWM is no longer simply a fast follower, but an innovator with global ambitions and the engineering muscle to match. With a steady stream of exciting new products, cutting-edge drivetrain tech, and a healthy appetite for local market relevance, the Chinese giant appears ready to solidify its place in South Africa’s motoring future. If what we saw in Shanghai is anything to go by, the next chapter in GWM’s local story promises to be a thrilling one.
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © GWM SOUTH AFRICA & BERNIE HELLBERG JR
