GWM Australia has locked in six vehicle launches for the first half of 2025, and that includes a refreshed version of its volume-selling Haval H6 mid-sized SUV.
The updated GWM Haval H6, expected in the second quarter of 2025, wears revised styling including prominent, vertical daytime running lights and a segmented grille reminiscent of the Hyundai Palisade.
The full-width light bar of the outgoing car, however, has been nixed in favour of more conservative tail lights.
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Inside, there’s a new centre console design and steering wheel plus a larger 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system. A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster remains.
It’ll continue to be offered with both petrol and hybrid powertrains but, as previously confirmed, GWM is likely to bring a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Haval H6 to Australia.
The PHEV version of the updated Haval H6 has yet to be officially revealed or detailed in China.
The Haval H6 is just one of a slew of new vehicles planned for 2025.
GWM Haval H6 GT PHEV
GWM Australia has confirmed its Haval H6 GT coupe SUV will receive a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
This will make it the brand’s first PHEV in Australia when it arrives in the first quarter of 2025.
GWM says the Haval H6 GT PHEV’s 35.4kWh battery gives it pure electric driving range of up to 180km.
Unusually, this particular vehicle isn’t currently offered in China. There, you can only get a PHEV powertrain with the regular Haval H6, and NEDC range tops out at 110km.
It’s also unclear if the Haval H6 GT is receiving a facelift like its more conventionally styled stablemate, which went on sale in China earlier this year.
GWM Cannon
The GWM Cannon – finally dropping the dull Ute moniker – is borrowing the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine from the larger Cannon Alpha.
The updated range arrives here during the first quarter of 2025.
The new engine is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and produces 135kW of power and 480Nm of torque.
Braked towing capacity is bumped up from 3200kg to 3500kg.
Exterior tweaks are minor but include a new grille, front bumper and wheel designs.
More substantial visual changes can be seen inside with a new dashboard, with less physical switchgear and a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. There’s also an “aviation-style” gear shifter borrowed from GWM’s Tank SUVs.
MORE: 2025 GWM Cannon Ute: More powerful diesel locked in for HiLux, Ranger rival
GWM Tank 300
The GWM Tank 300 range is also receiving the 2.4-litre, marking the first time the boxy off-roader has offered a diesel engine.
It’s joining the local lineup during the first quarter of 2025.
The 2.4-litre produces the same 135kW and 480Nm as in the Cannon and Cannon Alpha utes, and joins the existing petrol and hybrid options.
MORE: 2025 GWM Tank 300: Diesel locked in for rugged off-roader
GWM Cannon Alpha
The recently launched Cannon Alpha – a slightly larger, more luxurious counterpart to the Cannon – is receiving a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
It’s expected to reach local dealerships either late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2025, becoming the brand’s second PHEV in Australia.
It features a 37.1kWh ternary lithium battery, giving the ute up to 110km of electric range on the WLTC cycle.
Mated with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the Cannon Alpha Hi4T produces total system outputs of 300kW and 750Nm.
It’ll join the existing petrol and hybrid versions of GWM’s flagship ute.
MORE: 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T PHEV review
GWM Haval H7
While GWM has previously said it hadn’t locked in the mid-sized Haval H7 SUV in Australia, it now says it “remains in the company’s plans” for a launch in the second quarter of 2025.
Local homologation was recently completed for the SUV, intended to be slightly more rugged than the related Haval H6 but not quite as butch as the Tank 300 off-roader.
GWM Australia says it hasn’t locked in a name for the model yet. In China it’s called the Second-Generation Big Dog or Big Dog II, while in South Africa it’ll wear the Haval H7 nameplate.
MORE: GWM Australia could fill another niche with a third mid-sized SUV
GWM Tank 500
GWM Australia managing director Charles Zhao told CarExpert the plug-in hybrid version of the Tank 500 off-roader is coming to Australia, but may be “a little bit later” than the related Cannon Alpha Hi4T.
It uses the same powertrain as the plug-in Cannon Alpha, and offers the same claimed 110km of electric range.
As with the PHEV ute, GWM brought an example to Australia for evaluation by local media.
MORE: 2025 GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T PHEV review
GWM Ora Sport
Not locked in yet for Australia is the Ora Sport electric sedan, of which GWM brought an example to Australia for journalists and dealers to see.
However, the company says it “remains under consideration” and expects to confirm further details on a potential Australian launch “in the coming months”.
This would give the local GWM lineup a second electric vehicle (EV), with the Ora Sport joining the smaller Ora hatchback and giving the brand an alternative to the likes of the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal.
It’s not the only vehicle GWM executives have spoken about bringing here but stopped short of confirming, with another being the Toyota Prado-rivalling Haval H9 SUV.
MORE: 2025 GWM Ora Sport reviewMORE: GWM wants to take on Everest, Prado directly with a familiar nameplate
GWM currently offers the Ora hatchback, the Haval Jolion, Haval H6 and Haval GT crossovers, the Tank 300 and Tank 500 off-roaders, and the Cannon and Cannon Alpha utes.
They’re sold through a network of 107 dealers nationally.
GWM says it’s expecting another record annual sales result, which makes sense given how its local lineup has swelled of late.
Over the first eight months of this year, GWM has sold 27,991 vehicles in Australia. That’s up 21.8 per cent on the same period last year, when models like the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 weren’t yet available.
GWM expects to exceed 40,000 local sales this year for the first time.
MORE: Everything GWM • Haval
Source Agencies
