- GWM NZ has announced a range of new models and powertrains set to arrive before the end of 2026.
- The company's new 3.0-litre diesel engine will debut in the Cannon Alpha ute and Tank 500 SUV.
- The Haval H7 and Jolion Max will also bolster the brand's medium SUV range.
GWM New Zealand has announced a product roadmap for the remainder of 2026, confirming the planned release of up to eight new models and variants over the next six months.
GWM NZ says its powertrain strategy involves offering several different powertrain technologies rather than focusing on a single fuel type, and by the end of 2026, the company's local line-up will include internal combustion engines (petrol and diesel), hybrids (HEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEV).
September, the company will add the Cannon Hi4-T plug-in hybrid ute to its range to sit under the larger existing Cannon Alpha Hi4-T, while its new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine is also scheduled for introduction in both the Cannon Alpha and the Tank 500 large SUV in the coming months.
The Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) region has been designated as the lead global market for the new diesel powertrain and the company says it has been developed with customer feedback across the two countries, local testing and local driving conditions at its core.
According to GWM, the new four-cylinder diesel delivers increased power and torque "while improving fuel efficiency, providing greater towing confidence, touring capability and everyday drivability".
In addition to the powertrain additions to the existing line up, GWM also plans to introduce two new mid-size SUVs - the Haval H7 and Haval Jolion Max- making the popular segment a primary focus for the brand's growth in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Haval H7 (rather brilliantly named the Haval Big Dog in its home market) will offer both hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, with top-spec models having AWD with both front and rear differential locks, while the Haval Jolion Max (Haval Xiaolong in China) will sit between the existing Jolion and H6 models, and will be available in plug-in hybrid and electric variants.
The company also revealed that, following the recent launch of the Ora 5 SUV, it intends to further expand its electric portfolio with a second mid-size electric SUV is expected to join the Ora range later in 2026.
GWM says its wave of new model and powertrain introductions in the second half of 2026 marks the beginning of a broader portfolio transformation that establishes "an even stronger foundation for the brand's continued growth throughout 2027 and beyond".
"No single technology wins every customer, and no single customer needs every technology," said GWM New Zealand country manager Cameron Thomas.
"Our role is to give customers the freedom to choose the solution that best fits their lives, whether that's petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric. We're not building a strategy around the business we have today. We're building a strategy around the business we are becoming."
The company has set a sales target of over 5000 units by the end of 2026 and aims to reach a top-five position in the New Zealand automotive market by the end of 2027, with a long-term goal of securing a top-three position by 2030.