Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) began selling two new premium off road SUV models under its Tank brand in Thailand this week, continuing its expansion into South-east Asia countries.
It began taking orders for the Tank 300 and 500 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs at an event in Bangkok this week, having unveiled the models at the Bangkok International Motor Show earlier this year, with local deliveries scheduled to begin in October.
The Tank line will be sold alongside the company’s Haval and Ora brands which are already available in Thailand.
The 500 is a full size SUV powered by a two litre V6 petrol engine combined with a 150kW electric motor integrated into a nine speed hydraulic automatic transmission (9HAT) generating power of 350 PS. Prices range between THB2.05m (US$55,900) and THB2.27m ($61,900). The 300 range is priced between THB1.65m and THB1.8m ($45,400-$49,100).
GWM said it had sold 300,000 Tanks worldwide since the brand was launched in 2021 and claimmed to have cornered over 60% of the Chinese off roader market.
The company said its had received 26,000 orders for the 500 in Thailand within two hours of its launch.
Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont, marketing chief of GWM’s ASEAN operations, said: “We have adopted the most advanced off road technology based on the Tank and Hi4-T platforms in these new energy vehicles. He expected the Thai launch of these two new models “will generate excitement and make a significant impact in the new energy off road SUV segment by catering to the needs of customers who seek a balance between off road adventures and urban driving”.
