Inside Chinese GWM's plan to take on American pickups... potentially even in the US
GWM wants to take on North America's Big 3 carmakers with a full-size V8 pickup truck, though current political tensions between China and the US have impacted its development.
The fast-growing Chinese auto brand is developing a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8-based plug-in hybrid powertrain that could be used in a new extra-large pickup, and the company has confirmed it has – or at least had – plans to sell it in the US.
'For the moment, the V8 could potentially fit in one of our SUVs, but as for utes and pickups, it's most likely going to be one that is bigger than what we have currently,' GWM International Vice President James Yang told Australian media at the Shanghai motor show through an interpreter.
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GWM has yet to announce power and torque figures for the plug-in hybrid V8, which is set to be used in Tank-branded SUVs potentially including the
Tank 300
.
The powertrain is intended to operate primarily as an EV at low speeds, with the V8 kicking in for higher-load conditions like towing and off-roading.
Mr Yang said that he had driven 'quite a few American V8 pickup trucks' in Australia, and identified an opportunity for such a vehicle in this market.
'With the right-hand drive conversion it comes with things such as limited production as well as high cost as well as a question mark in the quality of the conversion itself,' he said, referring to locally manufactured American pickups including the
Chevrolet Silverado
,
Ford F-150
,
Ram 1500
, and
Toyota Tundra
.
When asked about a model that would be positioned above GWM's current flagship pickup, the
Cannon Alpha
, Mr Yang confirmed development of such a vehicle has been paused for now.
'One of the key things is the big American pickup trucks are mostly sold in America, and with the most recent tariff [situation] and all that, it's really put the whole big pickup truck on a little bit of a hold,' he said through an interpreter.
'So right now it's kind of stuck in limbo because of the tariff situation.'
That appears to suggest GWM wants to sell a full-size pickup in the US, a lofty ambition for any non-American brand.
Only two carmakers have tried to take on the Ford/GM/Stellantis triumvirate in this segment: Toyota and Nissan.
The latter Japanese brand's
Titan
finally succumbed to its unpopularity in 2023, with the axe falling on the big Nissan with a final 2024 model year dual-cab.
Toyota has had more success with its
Tundra
, which is now in its third generation. However, despite the enormous popularity of the Toyota brand in the US, the Tundra has always been significantly outsold by its GM, Ford and Stellantis rivals.
Kia
conducted a case study
, understood to be prior to 2020, into a full-size pickup of its own, but instead green-lit the
Tasman
, which will compete in the global mid-size ute segment that's so popular in Australia.
Not only is it ambitious to take on big American pickups in the US market, it's ambitious for a Chinese brand to enter the market, period.
While there are Chinese-owned brands like Polestar and Volvo selling vehicles in the US, as well as Chinese-built vehicles like the Buick Envision and Lincoln Nautilus, there are no Chinese brands.
That's despite a slew of brands selling vehicles just south of the border in Mexico, including GWM.
Various Chinese auto brands have had plans to enter the US market over the years, from Chery to Zotye, only for these to fall through.
Now, it's a more hostile climate than ever for Chinese brands.
Former US President Joe Biden had already raised the tariffs on Chinese EVs last year from 25 to 100 per cent; combustion-powered vehicles continued to incur a 25 per cent tariff.
Now, current president Donald Trump has raised tariffs on imported vehicles from almost every country, though he has said he's still negotiating with China, which has slapped US imports with similarly high tariffs.
Currently, Chinese imports face tariffs of 145 per cent in the US.
The uncertainty over tariffs has rattled auto brands in the US, with some like Mitsubishi pausing imports into the US until there's more clarity.
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- The Advertiser
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Sky News AU
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West Australian
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- West Australian
Trade talks rest on Anthony Albanese's meeting with Donald Trump in Canada
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