GWM says PHEVs key to EV transition in Australia
The Chinese brand currently offers a couple of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models – the GWM Cannon Alpha dual-cab ute and Haval H6 GT SUV – as well as multiple non-plug-in hybrids in its Australian lineup.
It also offers diesel engines in its Tank 300 and Tank 500 models, as well as the electric GWM Ora city hatch, currently its only EV although it plans two more in 2026.
Yet GWM Australia chief operating officer John Kett says the automaker's PHEV range – set to grow in 2025 with the Tank 500 PHEV, one of two new SUVs due here by the end of the year – is the key to Australians embracing EVs.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
'With hybrid enabling people to get out of diesel, ICE [internal combustion] petrol, maybe PHEV is an easier transition to address people's concerns around [whether] it just might not make a charging station, right?' Mr Kett said at the launch of the refreshed Haval H6.
'Ultimately, that infrastructure does grow [with PHEV sales], and that's certainly on the private tiers that are investing and on the government to support.'
The GWM boss said PHEVs becoming the norm will make the step to EVs smaller for consumers – in terms of sticker price – while the expansion of infrastructure will improve the practicality of EV ownership.
PHEVs will also help GWM meet emissions targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will get tougher annually until 2029. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
'We know that even when we step up to PHEV, and it has a premium over ICE or hybrid, then the whole market has to move there and it resettles on pricing,' said Mr Kett.
Yet EVs won't be forced into the lineup to meet emissions regulations, with GWM expressing full confidence the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) can be met by the company's growing range of hybrid models.
'We feel well positioned, because we've got a portfolio to do everything,' Mr Kett said.
'It [the brand's EV models] won't have to be levered, right – it will deliver a number that's in line with the industry percentage of NVES … and if PHEV [plug-in hybrid electric vehicle] does its job, it'll overcompensate.'
'NVES, the way it's written, is a supply side constraint. You have to bring it, so you're going to have to sell it at some point … the best way to sell it is to build products that have a transition and a price point.'
MORE: A guide to everything you need to know about GWM
MORE: Everything GWM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
26 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Doubts cast over Port of Darwin sale
Port of Darwin Chief Executive Officer Peter Dummett has cast doubt on the idea the port will be sold amid negotiations between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and China. The Albanese government has vowed to return the port to Australian hands but insists it is not for sale. Speaking at the NT News Future event, Mr Dummett revealed the facility he manages is the second busiest defence port in the country, hosting 240 defence vessels in the past two years. The port, which was leased to a Chinese company for 99 years in 2015, became a hot topic during the federal election campaign when both parties vowed to return it to Australian hands. As debate reignited during Mr Albanese's visit to China, Mr Dummett stresses he is not personally involved in negotiations over the port's future.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Ex-Aust PM Morrison to testify before US House on China
Former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison will testify at a US House panel hearing about countering China's "economic coercion against democracies," the committee says. Former US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel will also testify on Wednesday before the House Select Committee on China. Relations with China, already rocky after Australia banned Huawei from its 5G broadband network in 2018, cooled further after Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19. China responded by imposing tariffs on Australian commodities, including wine and barley and limited imports of Australian beef, coal and grapes, moves described by the United States as "economic coercion." Morrison was defeated in a bid for re-election in 2022. Reuters reported this week Canberra is close to an agreement with Beijing that would allow Australian suppliers to ship five trial canola cargoes to China, sources familiar with the matter said, a move towards ending a years-long freeze in the trade. China imposed 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian canola meal and oil this year amid strained diplomatic ties. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited China this week, underscoring a warming of ties Emanuel, who told a Chicago news outlet in June he is considering a run for president in 2028. Emanuel as been a harsh critic of China, saying in 2024 Beijing constantly uses coercion and pressures other countries, including Japan and the Philippines. "Economic coercion by China is their most persistent and pernicious tool in their toolbox," Emanuel said in a separate speech in 2023. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.
9 News
2 hours ago
- 9 News
Young Aussies locked out of housing market turning to $24k investment
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Young micro-investors are sinking their spare cash into shares after being locked out of the property market, leading economist Tom Piotrowski says. Piotrowski said unaffordable property prices have made stock market investments an "attractive" choice for a record number of Australians aged under 40 as home ownership remains painfully out of reach. "The fact that it has become increasingly difficult to establish a foothold [in the property market] has certainly contributed to the fact the ease of investing in the share market by comparison is more attractive," Piotrowski told Piotrowski said unaffordable home prices in Australia have made first-time stock investments an "attractive" choice. (Getty) "You can see a pathway to building your wealth in a more incremental way rather than having to stump up with a very sizable deposit." This month marks 30 years since Commonwealth Bank's online share trading platform CommSec launched in Australia and the economic landscape has undoubtedly changed enormously since 1995. In the mid-'90s, CommSec trades were done slowly by telephone and fax for $75 each and most investors were older, wealthier Australians. Now, Piotrowski said, young people with various incomes are now using their smartphones to trade shares at lunch time hoping to build their "nest egg". And according to figures from Finder, Australians have an average of $24,020 invested in shares. This casual investing may be funded by inheritance or a small amount of disposable income, Piotrowski said. "We're in the midst of one of the largest transitions of wealth from the baby boomer generation to a younger generation," Piotrowski said. According to Finder, Australians have an average of $24,020 invested in shares. (Getty) "Some are fortunate that they might be able to get some help with a leg up to buying their first property because of that wealth transition, others perhaps might not be that lucky. "Investing in the share market is attractive to them from that perspective because they're coming into some money. "They might not quite have enough for a deposit. "From that vantage point, you'd certainly be interested in looking at the share market." The percentage of customers trading on CommSec aged under 40 has surged to 39.8 per cent, compared to just over 25 per cent in 2020. CommBank revealed the rate of women with share holdings has nearly tripled in the past five years. Piotrowski credits this with a rise in online financial literacy since the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading economist Tom Piotrowski. (Supplied) "There are a lot more female content producers now that are interested in the share market, and that's important in terms of creating a commonality with the audience," he said. "It's become far more mainstream than it ever has been and that is directly tied to technology and social media." CommSec's biggest day of trading in 2025 so far was in the wake of Donald Trump's tariff announcements on April 7. But Piotrowski said Trump's influence likely won't have much of a negative impact on investors willing to play the long game and ride the wave. Investors under the age of 40 are turning to CommSec in droves. (Nine) "Yes, things are volatile, but volatility has always been a feature of equity markets," he said. "From time to time, you have seismic events that create big price movements. But it's a cliche. "The thing that protects you against that volatility is that long-term perspective." The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. finance Economy Australia national commonwealth bank money Economics Shares tariffs CONTACT US
