Haval H6 GT Hybrid not for Australia

GWM Haval Australia won’t be electrifying its new SUV ‘coupe’ anytime soon.

The Haval H6 GT has just hit the market in Australia with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and dual-clutch drivetrain, and while a hybrid is available in the Chinese market, the local arm says it has no plans to bolster the range with a petrol-electric option.

“At this stage, there are no plans to bring the hybrid powertrain to the H6 GT in Australia,” a GWM Haval spokesperson told CarExpert.

“Never say never but for the time being, the [regular] H6 will remain our hybrid option in the medium SUV segment.”

Known as the H6S in its domestic market, the H6 GT Hybrid uses the same 179kW/530Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged hybrid drivetrain as the H6 Hybrid in Australia.

The petrol-electric setup includes a 1.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack and two-speed electric motor.

Unlike the top-selling Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Subaru Forester Hybrid, which offer multiple trim levels or model variants with hybrid power, the existing Haval H6 Hybrid is solely available in top-spec Ultra specification.

While the H6 GT isn’t set to be hybridised Down Under just yet, the Chinese brand has firm nig plans to expand its electrified portfolio in Australia.

“GWM has firm plans to broaden the range of electrified powertrains available in the coming period,” said GWM Haval’s spokesperson.

“GWM has made significant investment into both hybrid and EV, and Australian new car buyers will be amongst those to see the benefits of that investment in the not-too-distant future.”

While not officially confirmed, CarExpert understands GWM Haval Australia is working hard to get the smaller Jolion Hybrid into local showrooms before the end of 2022, likely to again be reserved for top-spec Ultra specification.

GWM’s Tank 4×4 sub-brand is also likely to bring electrified offerings, including the recently revealed Tank 500 Hybrid.

Beyond hybrids, the all-electric GWM Ora brand is on track to head Down Under in the near future, likely in 2023.

The Ora Cat compact EV should serve as one of the most affordable electric cars in the Australian market, duking it out with other Chinese-sourced budget EVs like the BYD Atto 3, MG 4 and refreshed MG ZS EV. In its home market Ora also has the VW Beetle-inspired Punk Cat.

Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest.

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