Great Wall Motor, a prominent Chinese car manufacturer, unveiled its latest offering in the electric vehicle (EV) segment, the Tank 500 Hi4-T. This move is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to transition towards electrification, as it seeks to close the gap with leading competitors, such as BYD. The Tank 500 Hi4-T represents Great Wall Motor’s inaugural entry into the realm of new energy vehicles (NEVs), and it comes with a price tag starting at RMB 335,000 ($46,290).
The Tank 500 Hi4-T is a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) variant derived from the fuel-powered Tank 500 model, which is currently available in nine different versions, ranging from RMB 335,000 to RMB 395,000. By introducing the PHEV model at a starting price of RMB 335,000, Great Wall Motor intends to gradually phase out the lower-trim versions of the Tank 500, aiming to establish a more substantial presence in the burgeoning NEV market.
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Equipped with a 70-liter fuel tank, the Tank 500 Hi4-T consumes 9.55 liters per 100 kilometers at the lowest charge under WLTC (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle) standards. Thanks to its advanced powertrain, the vehicle boasts an impressive combined WLTC fuel consumption of 2.2 liters per 100 kilometers.
In line with prevailing trends in the NEV segment, the Tank 500 Hi4-T comes equipped with an L2 driving assistance system. This system incorporates a range of features, including smart parking, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, collision warning, and automatic braking, ensuring enhanced safety and convenience for drivers.
Interested customers can now explore the Tank 500 Hi4-T firsthand, as the show cars and vehicles designated for test drives are readily available at Great Wall Motor’s retail outlets.
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While Great Wall Motor has long been a successful player in the Chinese automotive market, it has faced considerable challenges in establishing a foothold in the NEV sector. To address this, the company has recently intensified its efforts, introducing several NEV models, including the Lanshan DHT-PHEV and the Haval Xiaolong.
In May, Great Wall Motor achieved a significant milestone by selling a record-breaking 23,755 units of NEVs, reflecting a remarkable year-on-year increase of 104.13%. Moreover, this figure represents a notable 59.83% surge from April’s sales of 14,863 NEVs, underscoring the company’s commitment to expanding its presence in the electric vehicle market. When considering sales of both conventional fuel vehicles and NEVs, Great Wall Motor’s total units sold in May reached 101,020, registering a year-on-year growth of 26.18% and a monthly increase of 8.49% compared to April’s sales of 93,107 units.
Notably, NEVs accounted for a significant portion of Great Wall Motor’s sales in May, contributing to 23.5% of the total units sold. With the launch of the Tank 500 Hi4-T and other NEV models, Great Wall Motor aims to further bolster its position in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market.
