Great Wall Motors vs Global Automakers
Great Wall Motors (GWM, 长城汽车), founded in 1984 in Baoding, Hebei, is China's largest SUV and pickup truck manufacturer and among the top five Chinese automakers by volume. With over 1.2 million vehicles sold in 2024 and a portfolio built around SUVs (Haval, China's best-selling SUV brand), off-road vehicles (Tank), and pickups (POER), GWM has carved out a distinct niche as China's premier off-road and utility vehicle specialist. GWM's global ambitions include manufacturing plants in Thailand, Russia, Brazil, and Australia, with rapid international expansion targeting developing markets where SUVs and pickups are in high demand. The company is also aggressively pursuing electrification with the Ora EV brand and hybrid powertrains across its lineup.
TL;DR
GWM is China's #1 SUV/pickup specialist with 1.2M+ vehicles sold (2024). Haval is China's best-selling SUV brand. Tank 300/500 are popular off-road vehicles. $20B+ revenue. Expanding to Thailand, Russia, Brazil.
Key Insights
China's #1 SUV Maker
GWM is China's largest manufacturer of SUVs and pickup trucks, with the Haval brand consistently ranking as China's best-selling SUV line.
1.2M+ Vehicles
GWM sold over 1.2 million vehicles in 2024, with Haval SUVs accounting for approximately 60% of total sales.
Tank 300/500
GWM's Tank brand (Tank 300, 400, 500, 700) has become China's most popular off-road vehicle line, competing with Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Land Cruiser.
500K+ Exports
GWM exported over 500,000 vehicles in 2024, with manufacturing plants in Thailand, Russia, Brazil, and distribution in 170+ countries.
Ora EV Brand
GWM's Ora (欧拉) brand offers compact electric vehicles like the Ora Good Cat and Ora Ballet Cat, targeting urban female buyers with stylish designs.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Great Wall Motors | Toyota | Ford | BYD | Geely |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Sales | 1.2M | 10.3M | 4.4M | 3.0M | 2.7M |
| Specialty | SUV/Pickup/Off-road | Full range | Trucks/SUV | EV/PHEV | Full range |
| Best-Selling Model | Haval H6 | RAV4 | F-Series | Qin Plus | Geely Monjaro |
| Off-Road Capability | Excellent (Tank) | Strong (Land Cruiser) | Strong (Bronco/Raptor) | Limited | Limited |
| Pickup Trucks | Yes (POER) | Yes (Hilux) | Yes (Ranger) | No | Yes (Farizon) |
| EV Transition | Moderate (Ora) | Slow | Growing (F-150 Lightning) | 100% EV/PHEV | Aggressive (Zeekr) |
| International Plants | Thailand/Russia/Brazil | Global | Global | Thailand/Brazil/Hungary | Belarus/Malaysia |
| Price Range (USD) | $12K-45K | $20K-80K | $25K-80K | $10K-50K | $10K-100K |
| Technology Level | Good | Excellent | Very Good | Excellent (EV tech) | Very Good |
| Design | Improving rapidly | Conservative | Bold American | Modern Chinese | Refined |
Frequently Asked Questions
GWM has significantly improved quality over the past decade. The Haval H6 is China's best-selling SUV with a reputation for reliability. The Tank 300 has received excellent reviews for off-road capability at a fraction of the price of a Jeep Wrangler. However, GWM's technology and refinement still trail Toyota and Ford in premium segments.
The Tank 300 is GWM's flagship off-road SUV, featuring a body-on-frame construction, locking differentials, 4WD system, and a turbocharged 2.0T engine. Priced at approximately $25,000-35,000 in China, it offers Jeep Wrangler-level capability at half the price. It has become a cultural phenomenon in China's growing off-road enthusiast community.
Yes, GWM sells vehicles in over 170 countries. The Haval H6, Jolion, and Tank 300 are available in Australia, South Africa, the Middle East, South America, and parts of Europe. GWM has manufacturing plants in Thailand, Russia, and Brazil. Availability in Western Europe and North America is limited due to regulatory and market access challenges.
BYD focuses exclusively on new energy vehicles with superior EV technology. GWM specializes in SUVs, pickups, and off-road vehicles with a more diverse powertrain strategy (ICE, HEV, PHEV, EV). BYD leads in technology and scale, while GWM leads in off-road capability and truck manufacturing.
Haval is GWM's dedicated SUV brand, launched in 2013. It is China's best-selling SUV line with models ranging from the compact Haval Jolion to the flagship Haval H6. The Haval H6 has been China's best-selling SUV for over 10 consecutive years with cumulative sales exceeding 4 million units.