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3 clusters · 6 sources · 31 days · First seen · Last updated

GWM diesel engine expansion and brand growth in Australia

Overview

GWM Australia has introduced a new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine for its Tank 500 SUV and Cannon Alpha utility vehicle. The engine, which features Bosch common-rail fuel injection, produces 170kW and 620Nm of torque and is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive system.

The diesel variant for the Tank 500 increases its braked towing capacity to 3,500kg and offers improved fuel efficiency compared to the hybrid version it replaces. The powertrain underwent six months of local engineering and validation testing across various Australian environments, including the Flinders Ranges and the Big Desert.

This strategic move supports GWM’s goal of becoming a top-five automotive brand in Australia by 2027. To reach this target, the company aims to achieve monthly sales of 1,500 utes within approximately one year. GWM Chief Operating Officer John Kett stated that the company is implementing a diverse range of models—including 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre turbo-diesels and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrids—to compete with established models like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

In August 2026, GWM ranked seventh on the sales chart with 4,870 monthly sales, surpassing Ford. To enter the top five, the brand must overtake competitors such as Hyundai and Mazda. Despite a rising market share for electric vehicles, GWM officials noted that diesel technology maintains a 70 to 75 per cent share within the ute and body-on-frame segments.

Entities

GWM Australia · John Kett · Tank 500 · Bosch · Ford

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    GWM Australia targets top-five brand status via ute sales

    GWM Australia aims to become a top-five automotive brand by reaching 1,500 monthly ute sales within a year through a diverse new engine and model lineup.

  2. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    GWM Australia introduces new diesel engine to target top-five brand goal

    GWM Australia is launching a new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine for its Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha models to target the substantial diesel market and become a top-five brand by 2027.

  3. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    GWM introduces new diesel engines for Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha in Australia

    GWM is introducing a new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine for the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 in Australia, offering increased towing capacity and improved fuel efficiency.

Sources

7news.com.au · communitynews.com.au · fleetautonews.com.au · paultan.org · perthnow.com.au · thecooldown.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history