Hybrid technology combines the best of both gasoline and electric engines and in recent years has become a major buzzword in the auto industry. In Australia, where new car registrations are falling year-on-year due to high costs of ownership – especially for owners of larger vehicles – hybrid models are becoming more popular than ever. In this article, we explore why these new models are so important to manufacturers like GWM and their launch in the Australian market. With increasing costs of fuel, a number of taxes on CO2 emissions and governments targeting increased incentives for green power in Australia, hybrid vehicles are having a moment in the spotlight that cannot be ignored. In response to this, and as part of its own internal company goals GWM recently released two new hybrid versions of their best-selling H6 family SUV and Jolion compact SUVs into the Australian market.
But it isn't stopping there. Having already broken Australian sales records this year the company is setting its sights set on the future and is preparing to roll out a wider range of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-powered cars in Australia over the coming years. The company's local branch has announced that it will offer a broader range of “new energy vehicles” (hybrids, all-electric vehicles) in 2023. And with the announcement of GWM’s launch of its Tank and Ora brands in 2023 we expect that by the end of next year, the brand might have up to seven electrified vehicles on the market.
In preparation for the phase-out of all internal-combustion drivetrain production by 2030, GWM is aiming to have 80 per cent of GWM Haval sales worldwide to be plug-in hybrid or pure-electric by 2025. In order to achieve this, it is developing hybrid versions of all its latest-generation products Additionally GWM has also committed to expanding its offering of “new energy vehicles” in Australia, by releasing vehicle models that until now only existed for sale in the Chinese and other overseas markets. Achieving this goal would give GWM one of the most diversified fleets of electrified vehicles in the Australian market, potentially making them the 'brand-to-beat' for hybrid offerings in the near future.
Regardless of what happens, or who comes out as the top dog, one thing is for sure. Hybrids are definitely here to stay as Australia transitions to its 'new energy' motoring future. And stiff competition means it's only Aussie drivers who'll stand to reap the rewards.
