WATCH out Toyota as Haval has become Australia’s new rival in the hybrid SUV market, with 50 percent of its sales expected to be hybrid models by the end of this year.

 

Hybrid models already account for about 40 percent of Haval sales, split between its two SUVs, the Jolion and H6.

 

Haval, as part of GWM, has had a stellar 12 months. GWM is one of the two fastest-growing brands and after selling 25,042 units in 2022, is on track to deliver  40,000 units.

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It has already found 17,548 new owners in the first six months of 2023.

 

It small-SUV, the Jolion, has recorded 5523 sales in the first six months of this year, up 82.6 per cent on the same time in 2022.

 

On a yea-to-date basis, the Jolion is the third most popular small-SUV in its busy sub-$45,000 category, behind on the MG ZS and the Mazda CX-30.

 

Its bigger H6 has 562 sales in the six months, up 70.7 percent. The H6 now outsells rivals including the Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V, MG HS and BYD Atto3.

Buyer interest in hybrids isn’t unique to Haval but the brand has built a reputation for reliability and affordability.

 

Despite the premium of about $5500 of its hybrid models — compared with its equivalent petrol variants — demand continues to increase.

 

GWM’s Haval sub-brand has six Jolion versions, opening with a petrol model at $28,490 and with the hybrids at $36,990 (drive away) for the Lux and $40,990 (including on-road costs) for the Ultra.

 

This compares, for example with the Toyota Corolla Cross that has hybrids at $35,550 (plus on-road costs) up to $46,050 (plus costs) for the 2WD versions, and up to $49,050 (plus road costs) for an all-wheel drive variant.

 

GWM Haval’s bigger H6 opens at $33,990 drive away for a petrol 2WD, with hybrids starting at $42,490 (including costs for the Lux) and $45,990 (for the Ultra, including costs).

 

The Lux has a comprehensive standard equipment list including 18-inch alloy wheels, autonomous emergency braking plus a host of other safety features, wireless phone charging, two 10.25-inch screens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 360-degree camera and automatic parking.

 

In the H6’s medium-SUV category, it competes with the Toyota RAV4 that has hybrids that start at $40,550 (plus costs) to $49,700 (plus costs) but has a waiting list of up to three years.

 

GWM Haval launched the hybrid versions of the Jolion and H6 last year in the top-spec Ultra grades.

 

To appease buyers wanting slightly less specifications at a lower price, it introduced the Lux versions earlier this year.


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Jordan Ballard

Jordan Ballard

Automotive Content Editor

Jordan is a car finance and automotive industry specialist at Only Cars. With over 20 years of experience with frontline and management roles in sales, finance and other areas, Jordan has an incredible understanding of the automotive industry. As Automotive Content Editor, Jordan loves sharing his passion for cars with the Only Cars audience.