Great Wall Motors (GWM), the infamous Chinese automotive brand, has been trying to enter the Indian market for last couple of years. The company had showcased some of its vehicle at the 2020 Auto Expo last year but yet it was not clear when would it officially start sales and operations in India. Now, the official website of Great Wall Motors in India has gone live, indicating that it is indeed ready for its arrival in the country. The website displays information about its sub-brand Haval, and in particular about the Haval F7 SUV on the homepage.
It is believed that the Haval F7 will be the first GWM vehicle to be launched in the Indian market. The SUV comes with a couple of petrol engines in the international markets. There is a 1.5L gasoline motor which delivers top power of 148 bhp and peak torque of 280 Nm. It is also offered with a bigger and more powerful 2.0L mill which generates maximum power output of 188 bhp and highest torque performance of 340 Nm. Both the engines are available with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as standard while there is no manual gearbox option. Initially, the SUV will be brought to the Indian market as a CBU and the company might start its local manufacturing at a later stage.
Great Wall Motors initially intended to start operations in India by 2020 end but the COVID-19 pandemic played the spoilsport. There was also tensions on the Indo-Chinese border and it too contributed to the delay of the brand's arrival in India. The Chinese firm is looking to reduce the amount of investment that it had announced at the 2020 Auto Expo. Earlier, it had stated to begin operations with a production facility but now it seems that CBU route is on cards.
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