Plug-in frenzy! GWM announces PHEV Haval H6GT, Cannon Alpha ute and H6 SUV for Australia to target Toyota’s hybrid supremacy

GWM Australia has announced it has pulled the trigger on a raft of all-new vehicles to arrive in 2025 including at least two new advanced plug-in hybrids.

The biggest news is those plug-in hybrids will power both the Haval H6GT and the beefy Cannon Alpha Hi4T ute (pictured above).

The H6 SUV will be updated and arrive in quarter two with a hybrid option and almost certainly a PHEV as well.

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If that’s not enough, the Chinese firm will also roll out a new rugged mid-size SUV that could be called the H7, Dargo or, even, Big Dog, that will sit above the current Haval H6 but below the Tank 300 4×4. It’s also due in Q2.

The GWM Haval H6GT will rival the BYD Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid when it arrives in the first quarter of 2025.

The full specifications for the coupe-style SUV have yet to be revealed but the combination of a large 35kWh battery and a massive 180km EV range is likely to make it a winner for Australians.

Chinese-spec H6s with the plug-in hybrid are said to produce a thumping 240kW and 530Nm of torque.

Also arriving in early 2025, the GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4T is a rival for both the inbound BYD Shark and Ford Ranger plug-in hybrids.

Combined with a 37.1kWh lithium-ion battery, GWM says the big ute can travel around 110km on battery power alone. With the battery exhausted, the 2.0L four-cylinder turbo petrol drinks at a rate of 9.3L/100km.

Despite its sizeable zero-emission range, the Cannon Alpha PHEV still manages to muster 300kW and 750Nm from its combustion engine/electric motor combo.

That last figure is 100Nm more than the BYD Shark, suggesting it will easily exceed that hybrid ute’s paltry 2500kg towing capacity and come close to matching the 3500kg achieved by the best in its class.

Along with the hybrid and PHEV powertrains, the mid-size H6 SUV will be updated with a larger 14.6-inch infotainment system and a new stalk gearshift selector.

According to early intel, the tough-looking H7 will come with a 179kW hybrid to help it tempt people away from the default Toyota RAV4 that rules the class.

With sales up 21.8 per cent year-to-date, GWM is on track to sell more than 40,000 cars in 2024 for the first time, and hopes that affordable hybrids will continue to fuel its phenomenal growth here in Australia.

Beyond these models confirmed for launch, GWM has also said it is working on local plans for the introduction of the Tank 500 Hi4T PHEV.

The Ora Sport EV remains under consideration and with right-hand drive production now underway, further details on a potential Australian launch can be expected to be confirmed in coming months.

“GWM continues on the path of electrifying our range,” said Steve Maciver, Head of Marketing and Communications, GWM Australia .

“At the moment, GWM offers five dedicated hybrid models and one dedicated EV.

“Outside of Toyota, GWM now sells more hybrid models and hybrid vehicles in Australia than any other brand.”