Eighteen years ago, GWM entered Australia and New Zealand with an ambitious goal: to establish itself in one of the world's most competitive automotive markets.
As Australia's and New Zealand's first Chinese automotive manufacturer, GWM arrived at a time when established brands dominated local sales and Chinese vehicles were largely unfamiliar to Australian and New Zealand consumers. Building trust would take time, persistence and a willingness to continually improve.
Today, that commitment has helped transform GWM into one of Australia's fastest-growing automotive brands. With more than 250,000 vehicles sold nationally, a network of 130 dealerships and growing local engineering capability, the company has become an established part of Australia's automotive landscape.
GWM's journey began with the arrival of two ute models in 2008. While those early vehicles provided a practical and affordable alternative for Australian buyers, they also marked the beginning of a much larger story. Over the following years, GWM invested heavily in vehicle quality, safety, technology, design and customer experience, steadily evolving both its products and Australian operations.
The company has also played a pioneering role within the industry. As Australia's and New Zealand's first Chinese automotive manufacturer, GWM helped pave the way for the growing presence of Chinese brands in the local market. Today, Chinese manufacturers are among the industry's fastest-growing competitors, introducing new technologies and increasing consumer choice across multiple segments.
Australia and New Zealand has become increasingly important to GWM's global operations. Through local engineering and validation programs, Australian roads and customer feedback now help influence vehicle development. Testing conducted in demanding local conditions, from urban environments to regional and off-road locations, ensures vehicles are better suited to the needs of Australian and New Zealand drivers.
The transformation is perhaps most visible in GWM's product range. What began with two ute models has grown into a diversified portfolio spanning the HAVAL, Cannon, TANK and ORA brands. Customers can now choose from SUVs, utes, four-wheel drives and electric vehicles, with petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric powertrains available across the range.
Supporting this growth is an extensive national infrastructure network. GWM now operates 130 dealerships across metropolitan, regional and rural Australia, supported by three Parts Distribution Centres located in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. Continued investment in customer care, technical support, roadside assistance and dealer training reflects the company's focus on strengthening the ownership experience for customers.
The momentum continues to build. Having surpassed 250,000 vehicle sales and achieved record annual volumes, GWM is focused on its next phase of growth through product expansion, further investment in local operations and a greater Australian contribution to future vehicle development.
From a bold market entrant to a recognised automotive contender, GWM's Australian and New Zealand story has been shaped by continuous improvement and long-term commitment. While much has changed over the past 18 years, the philosophy that continues to guide the business remains the same:
Little by little, every day.