Latest news with #Haval
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
Brakes on
Rate cuts have been more than welcoming for car buyers, and it shows in improving sales across the industry. In 10M, a 40 percent rise in cumulative sales for passenger cars, SUVs, and LCVs indicates the industry is on the mend—from a massive slump, no doubt, but definitely recuperating. Passenger cars in 10MFY25 recovered 32 percent, but it was LCVs and SUVs that shone—up 69 percent from last year. This is still behind FY23 and FY21, and significantly down from sales during FY22. This year was always going to be a slow recovery, as gradually returning appetite—which refers to not just desire but the ability to make a purchase—is being driven by better inflation levels and falling interest rates. This is not to say that the SBP is fully prepared for a resurgence in automotive demand. If it were, the regulator would have loosened the regulatory noose on car financing terms that were much more relaxed in FY22. The freeze on financing for imported cars continues—so do the high equity requirements and shorter loan tenors. Average monthly passenger car sales during the current year stood at roughly 8,300 versus 6,300 last year (10M) and almost 8,900 the year before that. The real growth in LCVs/SUVs is visible in average sales too—selling upward of 2,800 units per month this year, versus last year's 1,600 and 2,700 the year before that. From Hyundai's fairly decent volumes in Santa Fe, Porter, and Tucson, to Toyota doubling its Fortuner and Hilux sales, to Sazgar's Haval taking control of more than a third of the market (excluding Ravi sales), the climb is steep, and it is outperforming past outcomes. At a time like this, it makes sense that the smallest and the largest segments are outpacing the rest. Alto alone sold 1.2 times the total LCV and SUV sales. In terms of volumes, there is no beating this compact car. Suzuki workshops are working overtime. Advance payment is 100 percent (unlike other popular vehicles like Yaris or Civic), there's an 'own' of roughly Rs300,000 to get the vehicle immediately, and buyers will pay the price differential in full if there's a bump at delivery. These terms are stringent and yet, volumes are racking up. It remains the biggest bang for buck in the market, even at the ridiculously high price it's selling for today. On the other end are the big engines dominating both roads and market share. To a great extent, any price is fair in this segment—as long as the vehicle is competitive and delivers performance. This is the segment where assemblers can actually get creative, and those who have are seeing their sales shoot up. In a market that has been so starved for choice and variety, and one that is drawn to imported used vehicles like moth to flame, assemblers better up the ante come FY26. Because if the government goes through with its promise to liberalize the import policy—should it be so gumptious—it's game over, or at least game pause, for a lot of these.
Top Gear
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
GWM Jolion Pro Review 2025
Not a knock-off TV, not a dodgy smartwatch and not a low budget iPad, which would've been our first three guesses. No, the Haval Jolion Pro purports to be a mid-size SUV, named with the same, er, unshakeable confidence (read 'lack of self-awareness') that brought us the Ora Funky Cat. Well, briefly. Haval and Ora actually belong to the same family, which explains a lot. Owned by Great Wall Motor, Haval only became a standalone brand 12 short years ago when it was spun off from GWM's main line-up in 2013. Now it sells hundreds of thousands of cars a year, mostly at home in China. Russia – where Haval has a factory – is another big market. Advertisement - Page continues below At home it sells a bunch of crossovers, plus SUVs like the Big Dog, Cool Dog and Raptor. In China this one's known as the Chitu. You can see why they changed it. Let me guess, it's electric. Wrong. Unlike most of the cars spilling out of China these days, the Jolion Pro is a hybrid. Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre 4cyl engine that shares propulsion duties with an electric motor, except it's the latter that provides most of the grunt. It chips in with 148bhp compared to the engine's miserly 94bhp, for a combined total of 186bhp. It's front-wheel drive always, and torque peaks at 277lb ft. Seems reasonable for something this size. Most of the time you'll have both working at once, but a 1.7kWh battery means the Haval can go electric-only for short bursts, or engine-only when it's out of juice. It's an auto, but a two-speed – Haval calls it a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission. Ah! So it's a Qashqai rival? Wrong again. In terms of size you're bang on the money, but in terms of money… you aren't. Advertisement - Page continues below Prices start at a fiver beneath £24k and rise through three trim levels to £30k for the top-spec model with everything on it. That's almost exactly where the Qashqai starts these days, such is the world we live in. You'll find full info over on the Buying tab of this review. That makes it a budget option that's more likely to fight an MG ZS or Dacia Duster for your attention. A Peugeot 2008 is a bit shorter than this but clearly less of a gamble, as are the Citroen C4 and Vauxhall Frontera. Other non-Stellantis cars – like the Skoda Kamiq and Seat Ateca – are available. But only if you're prepared to pay extra. That list is rather dry. Means I've got nothing to lose with this, right? Not so fast. For it to be a bargain, it still has to be good. And the distance between the Haval Jolion Pro and 'good' might as well be measured in parsecs. Where to start? Let's begin with when we tried to switch it on: we got in, hit the ignition… and the battery gave out. We've got to give Haval the benefit of the doubt that the lights weren't left on overnight or something, but when a test car needs the help of an AA van within the first 60 seconds, that's not usually a great sign. When we did eventually get it going, the drivetrain was one of the worst we've ever come across: it's noisy, unrefined and slow. The ride quality is woeful, and the handling's equally bad. There's about as much life in the chassis as you'll find in a sleepy village cemetery. READ MORE Fail of the Century: 23 of the worst cars from 2000-2023 The interior doesn't seem so bad, but the materials are cheap and the touchscreen's rubbish. Space is reasonable but the boot is a joke – we'll explain why on the Interior tab. Then there's the look of the thing… Yeah, I was going to say. It's… Dreadful. And that's allowing some wiggle room for design being subjective. Why has the badge been plonked in the middle of the grille? Why is it all creased like a used crisp packet? Why are the wheels buried so far inside the arches? All questions you'll have to field if you buy one. Please don't. 'Quite why Haval thought it was a good idea to bring it here at all is anyone's guess' The Haval Jolion Pro is one of the least inspiring cars we've ever driven. It falls well short in just about every single area that you're likely to care about, plus a few that you won't for good measure. What's worse is that it lacks any sense of imagination or fun – it's entirely tragic. Quite why Haval thought it was a good idea to bring it here at all is anyone's guess. We suspect it saw an opportunity to undercut the competition and grab a toehold in the UK, but that bargain bucket price tag isn't fooling anyone. Buy a Dacia instead.
ArabGT
6 days ago
- Automotive
- ArabGT
Where Do Chinese Cars in Russia Stand Today?
Once seen as the saviors of Russia's auto sector after Western brands pulled out, Chinese cars in Russia are now encountering serious headwinds. What was a booming expansion built on affordability and market opportunity has shifted into a phase of sharp contraction—putting the long-term future of Chinese automakers in Russia at risk. Between January and May 2025, 213 dealerships selling Chinese cars in Russia closed their doors, surpassing the total number of closures for all of 2024. The affected showrooms include those of major brands such as Haval, Chery, Geely, and Changan—the top names in Chinese automotive exports to the country. With this trend accelerating, industry observers warn of a potential reshaping of the Russian car market. Russia Drops in Chinese Export Rankings According to official Chinese customs data, Russia fell to sixth place among global importers of Chinese vehicles as of April 2025. Exports of Chinese cars to Russia dropped by 47.2% in the first four months of the year, totaling just $1.9 billion. From March to April alone, the decline reached 16.2%. This sharp drop follows a two-year surge during which Chinese cars in Russia flourished, filling the void left by departing Western manufacturers. With competitive pricing and a broad selection—from budget-friendly sedans to luxurious SUVs—Chinese brands quickly captured Russian consumer interest. Safety and Quality Issues Undermine Trust However, the rapid rise of Chinese cars in Russia has not come without complications. Changan, in particular, faced public backlash after seat cushion defects were linked to spinal injuries in crash scenarios. Although the company denied official complaints, Russia's National Automobile Federation opened a safety review and issued a recall. This incident has fueled wider concerns over the overall reliability of Chinese cars in Russia. Reports suggest that some models begin to corrode after just two years—a stark contrast to European and American vehicles that often offer structural durability for over a decade. Market Withdrawals and Economic Pressures Some Chinese manufacturers are already retreating. Brands like Skywell and Lifan have exited the Russian market, and projections suggest that over ten others may follow suit by the end of the year. Combined with a weakening ruble, high-interest loans, and falling consumer purchasing power, Chinese cars in Russia are facing their toughest test yet. Nikolai Dmitriev, commercial director at AvtoLogo, explained that Chinese brands overestimated the Russian market's capacity, opening far more showrooms than demand could support. He also cited rising prices for vehicles and spare parts as further barriers to sales. Expert View: A Storm to Weather Despite these challenges, not everyone is convinced that the presence of Chinese cars in Russia is nearing its end. Anatoly Bagin of Avtostat, a well-known automotive research agency, considers the current slump a temporary correction rather than a permanent retreat. He believes that if Chinese automakers can address product quality concerns, improve corrosion resistance, and offer attractive financing, they could regain momentum. Many dealerships are already responding—offering discounts, extended payment plans, and even free insurance packages. While rumors continue about the return of German brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Bagin views this as unlikely due to ongoing European sanctions. For now, Chinese cars in Russia will continue to share the market with domestic models—though with a closer eye on quality, durability, and value.
NZ Autocar
7 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
The June 2025 issue of NZ Autocar is now on sale
The June issue of NZ Autocar magazine is out now. Find it all good magazine outlets and supermarkets. Find out what we have in store for readers below. Subscribe to NZ Autocar to ensure you get the best automotive magazine delivered to your mailbox, while enjoying a discount on the cover price. We attend the big Shanghai Auto extravaganza to see what's in the pipeline for NZ. Racy is not how you'd describe your average Lexus. But now there's a hot-shot AWD compact Lexus crossover that's track-ready. Meet LBX Morizo RR. Kia has yet another new electric vehicle on sale in the form of the EV3. It's recently been crowned the World Car of the Year. So what's all the fuss about? The latest Audi is the new S5. It's the replacement for the old S4, which we quite liked. Is the new one better? The Volvo XC90 undergoes another revision as it enters its second decade. Is it still a viable option for those after a premium seven-seat SUV? Mini's first electric Cooper went well enough, but couldn't roam that far out of town. The new SE remedies that. The 911 rallies yet again in its 992.2 generation, adding electrification to its bag of tricks. Is the Carrera GTS still a divine choice? The Skoda Superb is somewhat of a novelty in 2025. It's one of the dwindling wagon choices in a sea of SUVs. Is the new one really superb? PHEVs are going gangbusters in some parts of the world where EV range is now well over 100km. How does Haval's first effort rate? The previous RS Q8 we drove was a wild thing, but this latest is even more epic, with added output and cornering prowess. Cupra is expanding in New Zealand and going more premium. Meet the entry-level Cupra, the Sportstourer V. The biggest BYD has joined the long-term fleet, and we outline what's in store for this plug-in ute. We take a little R&R in sunny Queensland, and find there a lot of Chinese cars in Australia too. TVR mashes together a mix of parts to deliver a sports car low in weight and heavy with power. The Chimaera, named after a mythical monster, is one of the more popular models here. We take a look at a nicely restored 5.0-litre version. Royal Enfield now has six machines powered by its 650cc parallel twin engine. The latest is this, the Bear 650, a scrambler.
Mail & Guardian
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Mail & Guardian
Value-for-money Haval H7 is rugged and luxurious but slightly unresponsive
Unorthodox: The Haval H7 resembles its sister brand Tank and does not fit in line with the looks of the H6 and Jolion. At first glance, I found the Haval H7 to be a very odd looking vehicle. Since Haval introduced South Africans to its range in 2021, it has released the Jolion, Jolion Pro, the H6 and H6 GT, all of which were stylish, modern SUVs, with the Pro looking extra sporty and the H6 GT resembling the Lamborghini Urus. GWM also brought in the Tank range, which were meant to be rugged off-roaders. I was therefore slightly confused when the H7 was released and it didn't look like a more premium version of the H6 but rather as if it came from the Tank family. It's big and boxy, with no sharp features that are going to turn heads. It has rounded headlights that are dented deep into the grille on each side and taillights that start off thin, but eventually also get rounded out to bring the ruggedness of the exterior together. The roof rails make sense on this vehicle because of its squared-off shape and deeply sculpted side profile. I was surprised at the look at first, feeling as if it just didn't fit what we were used to seeing from Haval. It wanted to part from the elegant dynamism of the H6 but I couldn't understand why it would make the vehicle look this rugged when GWM already has a brand for that. It almost felt like an overlap between the Tank and Haval brands but this is supposed to be the flagship model from Haval. After two or three days, however, the look begins to grow on you. It also made me realise that the brand has huge confidence. It is not limited to producing vehicles that look a certain way, but can be unorthodox, and still keep the consumer satisfied. I say that because the interior is exactly what I expected. It's what we have come to expect from Haval: plush, posh and perfect. Huge leather seats in the front that are heated, a fully leather steering wheel, a clean and neat dashboard, a fully digital instrument cluster and a floating 14.6 inch infotainment system. What I really loved about the interior is that there are certain elements that keep the rugged, boxy feel of the exterior. The gear shifter is designed like those in a fighter jet and the door handles have big screws popping out of them to add to the vehicle's aesthetic. The space in the back was more than sufficient for three adults and provided enough comfort as well. However, for something this big, the car did fall short in terms of boot space. It offers 483 litres, which is significantly less than the H6, which offers 600 litres. The Haval H7 looks like an off-roader and comes with a variety of modes which will allow the vehicle to do whatever you need when going into the bush. Well, that is if you opt for the all-wheel-drive variant. The modes available are: Grass/Gravel, Convex Roads, Sand, Snow, Mud and for Sporty, Standard or Economical driving. Buyers of the 4×4 model will receive a unique off-road mode on their instrument cluster, which offers a low-speed bird's-eye view of the surroundings, as well as an AI-enhanced image of the surface below the vehicle. This effectively removes the vehicle from the on-screen image and gives the driver the best possible vantage point for technical off-road driving. If you opt for the two-wheel-drive variant, you won't be given those crazy features to go off-roading with, but the car will still handle simple gravel and sand due to its high ground clearance. On the road, the H7 offers a smooth drive and picks up speed very easily when you push your foot down lightly on the accelerator. However, if you need a quick kick to overtake, the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is slightly unresponsive. There's a split second delay between the time you press and when you actually feel the power. This was kind of annoying because it took away from what was a very comfortable driving experience. For a car of its size, it handles the road very well, but once again, that delay in acceleration handicaps the vehicle on the road. But by no means is it underpowered. The H7 churns out 170kW of power and 380Nm of torque. Once it gets going, it's rapid. One thing nobody can fault Chinese manufacturers on is safety in all their vehicles. GWM have continued this by giving the H7 six airbags and seatbelt safety warnings on both rows of seats. All models feature electronic stability control, traction control, cornering brake control, ABS brakes with emergency brake assist and even tyre pressure monitoring. Every H7 also has hill descent control and hill hold control, a USB port for linking a dashcam, reverse radar and a full 360-degree camera system with an additional 180-degree electronically created view of the road surface beneath the vehicle for a 560-degree view. A full array of advanced driver assistance systems is featured as standard across the Haval H7 range. While it took some time to get used to the shape of the Haval H7, the interior has the luxury feel we have become accustomed to with the brand's vehicles. The exterior gives off love-me-or-hate-me vibes, but there's no doubt Haval have built a sturdy vehicle that comes in at a modest price point once again. Available in a two-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive, the former comes in at R601 950 and the latter is priced at R671 950. There is a hybrid variant that is scheduled to be on sale this quarter at R730 950. I just find it unbelievable how the Chinese manufacturers are managing to give this much in a vehicle at such affordable prices. However, I still find it hard to look past the unresponsive nature in my verdict. Perhaps it is best to wait for the hybrid version but that means adding another R60 000 to the budget.
