Great Wall, one of China’s emerging independent automakers, has replaced three top executives as its sales continue to slump amid new product delays.
Bloomberg reported that China’s largest SUV maker has replaced Kang Guowang (previously in charge of domestic sales), Xing Wenlin (who oversaw international sales) and Liang Xinlu (managed components procurement).
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The changes were part of a normal rotation of management and weren’t related to sales results, the company reportedly said.
Great Wall triggered investor concerns in January when the carmaker said it would delay the launch of the next H8 model after bad reviews from initial road tests. The new H8 was said to have issues ranging from poor braking to low steering resistance and excessive noise, with the manufacturer deciding to undertake further modifications and delay launch by three months.
Domestic makes have come under increasing pressure in China’s car market in recent years as consumers have shifted preferences to international brands that are produced locally in joint ventures and are perceived as being of high quality. Analysts speculate that Great Wall’s current difficulties reflect shortcuts taken in product engineering.
