← Chinese Oem Europe Expansion
Great Wall Motor’s flagship SUV features plug-in hybrid powertrain and autonomous driving systems for overseas expansion.
Great Wall Motor’s Haval brand will unveil its HX flagship SUV at the Beijing Auto Show. The model targets Toyota Land Cruiser buyers. Third quarter deliveries confirmed. China first, exports planned.
The HX represents Haval’s first serious attempt at the premium off-road SUV segment, competing directly with established models like the Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser. Unlike previous Haval models focused on value positioning, the HX adopts design cues from BYD’s YangWang U8 flagship, according to Great Wall Motor’s product roadmap published in March 2024. — Chinese brands expanding into European markets.
Design Mimics Established Off-Road Icons
The HX borrows heavily from proven off-road SUV design language, featuring square headlights and chunky door handles reminiscent of the current Defender generation. A bronze-and-black two-tone paint scheme mirrors BYD’s YangWang U8 flagship. Rectangular LED taillights dominate the rear. The swing-out tailgate includes a spare wheel carrier mounted externally, following traditional off-road SUV convention. LiDAR sensors sit above the windshield. Thick pillars and squared wheel arches complete the utilitarian aesthetic that prioritizes function over refinement.
Hybrid Powertrain Delivers All-Wheel Drive
GWM’s One architecture underpins the HX with a plug-in hybrid system combining a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and two electric motors. Total system output remains unconfirmed. All-wheel drive comes standard. A four-speed automatic transmission handles power distribution, unusual in an era of continuously variable transmissions and eight-speed units. The hybrid system targets both on-road efficiency and off-road torque delivery. Electric-only range figures have not been disclosed by Great Wall Motor ahead of the Beijing show. — premium hybrid SUV segment.
Autonomous Features Include Urban Navigation
The HX will launch with GWM’s Navigate On Autopilot system, operational in both city traffic and highway conditions. Autonomous parking functions supplement the self-driving capability. These features position the HX against premium competitors rather than Haval’s traditional value-focused models. The LiDAR sensor array enables Level 2+ autonomous driving functionality. No timeline exists for higher autonomy levels. GWM’s system competes directly with similar offerings from NIO, XPeng, and other Chinese manufacturers targeting the premium SUV segment. — trade barriers affecting vehicle exports.
International Ambitions Beyond China Market
Export plans distinguish the HX from previous Haval models primarily designed for domestic Chinese consumption. Great Wall Motor operates Haval in select international markets including Australia and South Africa, but with entry-level models only. Premium positioning. The HX would mark Haval’s first premium offering in overseas markets, competing against established Japanese and European brands with decades of off-road SUV heritage. Third-quarter 2024 China launch precedes international rollout timing, which remains unconfirmed by Great Wall Motor management.
Pricing details remain undisclosed ahead of the Beijing Auto Show presentation, though positioning against Land Cruiser and Defender suggests premium pricing above current Haval model ranges. Export market selection depends on initial China reception. Success could reshape Haval’s global brand perception. The complete Haval model history and specifications are catalogued in the Global Auto Index manufacturer database.
