Inside Great Wall Motors, China’s automotive giant expands global ambitions

Friday 08 May 2026 - 15:42

By: Dakir Madiha

Inside Great Wall Motors, China’s automotive giant expands global ambitions

Great Wall Motors used the Beijing Auto Show and a series of industrial demonstrations in Baoding to present itself as more than a car manufacturer. The Chinese group showcased a fully integrated industrial ecosystem built around design, engineering, software, manufacturing and advanced mobility technologies. During visits to research centers, crash test facilities and off road tracks, the company emphasized its ambition to strengthen its international presence through technology, product diversification and industrial scale.

At the Beijing Auto Show, GWM occupied one of the largest spaces in Hall B5 with dedicated zones for its brands HAVAL, TANK, WEY, ORA and GWM Pickup. The display reflected a strategy based on segmentation rather than a single unified identity. The manufacturer presented several flagship models including the HAVAL H7 Plus, WEY V9X, Tank 700, ORA 5 and Poer P300, alongside the SOUO S2000 motorcycle. The company also highlighted its GWM ONE platform and a portfolio combining hybrid, electric, thermal and hydrogen technologies.

The WEY V9X represented the group’s premium ambitions. The six seat SUV combined large dimensions with a technology driven interior focused on digital integration and passenger comfort. Rear entertainment screens, zero gravity massage seats and advanced onboard systems formed part of a strategy that shifts luxury away from traditional heritage branding toward connected digital experiences. The Tank 700 followed a different direction, blending rugged off road styling with high end cabin technology and hybrid Hi4-T and Hi4-Z powertrains designed for both urban driving and extreme terrain.

GWM also used the event to reinforce the role of HAVAL as its mainstream SUV brand. The HAVAL H7 Plus targeted families seeking spacious interiors, hybrid efficiency and advanced driver assistance systems. Meanwhile, the ORA 5 reflected the company’s effort to make electrification more accessible through urban oriented design, lower energy consumption and extended driving range. In the pickup segment, the Poer P300 combined hybrid technology with professional utility functions, including towing capabilities and external power supply systems. GWM says it has controlled nearly half of China’s pickup market for almost three decades.

The second phase of the visit shifted from exhibition halls to Baoding, where GWM operates its industrial and testing facilities. Journalists tested vehicles on high speed tracks, slalom courses and braking exercises designed to demonstrate stability and handling precision. One of the most notable demonstrations involved autonomous parking technology, where vehicles completed complex parking maneuvers without driver intervention. The exercise illustrated the growing importance of software and intelligent driving systems in the company’s development strategy.

Off road testing with the Tank 300 and Tank 700 highlighted another aspect of GWM’s positioning. The vehicles navigated steep inclines, axle articulation zones and damaged terrain while maintaining controlled traction and stability. The demonstrations focused less on spectacle and more on mechanical capability, reinforcing the brand’s attempt to combine digital technologies with traditional off road engineering.

The visit to GWM’s research and development division revealed the scale of the company’s technological investment. The group employs more than 25,000 people in R&D and design activities across multiple Chinese regions and international sites. The company’s development efforts extend beyond engines into software platforms, battery systems, intelligent driving technologies, homologation and market adaptation. GWM also showcased its crash testing facilities with a live ORA 05 collision test, where engineers analyzed structural deformation, airbag deployment and passenger safety systems using highly sophisticated crash test dummies valued at up to $1.7 million.

Industrial operations formed another major part of the immersion. At the BEM stamping facility in Baoding, visitors observed the production of body components through high precision industrial processes. The engine testing center subjected powertrains to endurance and durability cycles designed to validate long term reliability. These facilities reflected the company’s attempt to build credibility through industrial depth rather than marketing alone.

Behind the expansion strategy stands Jack Wey, founder and chairman of Great Wall Motors. Starting from a local company, he transformed GWM into one of China’s largest SUV and pickup manufacturers. The corporate culture promoted throughout the visit focused heavily on engineering discipline, technical validation and product durability. That philosophy now shapes GWM’s effort to compete globally as Chinese automakers accelerate their expansion into overseas markets.