The Great Ute of China is Here - 25/06/2009
Great Wall Motors is the first Chinese car manufacturer to debut in the Australian and New Zealand markets after its dealer launch in Sydney today.
Two twin-cab utilities, the V240 in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations and the 
SA220 in 4x2 only, are the first Great Wall models to be released onto the Australasian market. Both vehicles offer unparalleled value for money to Australian and New Zealand buyers.
The V240 4x2 will sell in Australia for a class leading $23,990 on road with the 4x4 option costing a modest $3,000 extra, while the SA220 will sell for a remarkable $19,990 on road. Both vehicles offer buyers superior equipment levels, including electric windows, alloy wheels, leather trimmed seats and air conditioning and a genuine opportunity to enter the new car market at the equivalent of a second-hand price.
Great Wall vehicles will be sold and supported initially in Australia by a nationwide network of over 45 dealers and have a comprehensive three year/100,000km warranty. The New Zealand range will be common to that sold in Australia with six dealers at launch.
Ateco Automotive, the Sydney and Auckland-based importer, has been negotiating to bring Great Wall to Australia for over three years. According to the Ateco Managing Director, Mr Ric Hull, "Great Wall is one of China's leading car makers and it has been consistently at the top of its domestic car market with its Ute and SUV models."
"This year China will make and sell more vehicles than any other country in the world. Every mainstream car and component manufacturer is represented there. Access to technology is virtually unlimited. China's car industry has come a long way in a very short time," he said.
"From day one we have been thoroughly impressed with Great Wall. World-class production facilities are becoming commonplace in China and there is no doubt that Great Wall has set a production benchmark. But what sets Great Wall apart is the corporate culture that permeates through the organisation. The company motto is 'Improving little by little every day' and from what we have seen the staff really do live and breathe this philosophy."
"Every time we go to Great Wall's head office in Baoding, we are impressed by the progress that has been made since our last visit. We targeted Great Wall for our Chinese plans because they are highly disciplined, organised and well led," said Mr Hull.
