Great Wall Motor is the bigger producer of SUVs and pickups in China. The first Deer model, based on Toyota Hilux, went off the assembly line in 1996. The first export of the Great Wall pickups was made in 1997, opening the door to overseas markets for Chinese vehicles and GWM was the best seller of pickups for 13 consecutive years. According to the production and sales data from the China Automobile Association, 380,000 pickups were sold in the Chinese market in 2010, including 103,200 Wingle pickups, making 27% of the whole pickup market capacity in China. The car is offered in several European countries as Steed.

The most important advantages of the model are attractive design, high functionality, modern engines and the EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA). Steed has already been sold in Italy, where Eurasia Motors is responsible for distributing the car. Actually, the offer includes only one petrol Mitsubishi engine 2.4l 126 hp with LPG installation. In future, the Steed will be offered with new 2.0T diesel engine. The diesel engine will meet Euro V emissions standards delivers maximum power of 110 kW (150PS) at 4000 rpm and peak torque of 310Nm at 1800-2800 rmp. It is fuel-efficient, environmental friendly and quiet, and consumes only 6.8 liters of diesel running 100 km under average driving conditions. Chinese car manufacturer Great Wall will kick-off sales in the UK this autumn with a pick-up aimed at small business users - according to Business Car. The double-cab pick-upis expected to significantly undercut other pick-ups in the market. A final naming decision has not been made for the UK, however the pick-up is expected to be called Steed, rather than the Chinese market Wingle, a shortened version of 'winged eagle'.

"Great Wall Motors is a value brand, they don’t perceive themselves as a cheap brand," Paul Hegarty, managing director of Great Wall UK told Business Car."Great Wall’s aim is to be the Chinese equivalent to Toyota. The quality is much higher than people expect. "The pick-up will appeal to small business customers. It’s easy to put into that market. We’re not sure who we’ll take market share from, but we could come in at a price that will take sales away from some of our rivals’ second-hand vehicles." While Hegarty would not be drawn on a price, the current lowest-cost entrant in the UK pick-up market is the Isuzu Rodeo priced from £11,434 (excluding VAT), itself nearly £2000 less expensive than the next lowest cost pick-up, the Mitsubishi L200.

Great Wall Motor is building its plant in Bulgaria, which could produce Steed in the future. IM Group has exclusive rights to distribute GWM in Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The Chinese company is constantly expanding its range. At Bologna Motor Show Great Wall showed police versions of Steed, which are tested in Italy currently.

Unfortunately, we haven’t known so far, who will became the official distributor of Great Wall Motor in Poland.

Source: Great Wall Motor
Source: Business Car

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