Established for over 25 years, GreatWall became a leading Chinese manufacturer, thanks to its wide range of SUVs. It is also one of the manufacturers that has the earliest sought to export.
The great figure of Greatwall is Wei Jianjun, born in 1964 in Baoding. However, he remains much more discreet in the media than Li Shufu at Geely or Wang Shuanfu at BYD. After the death of his uncle Wei Deliang, in 1990 he took over the management of his company GreatWall Industry Corporation specialized in car repair and spare parts manufacturing. The Hebei government remains a shareholder. Over the capital developments, Wei Jianjun and his family eventually become majority shareholders.
Wei Jianjun quickly embarked on the project of creating a car. The first model appeared in 1993, the CC1020 sedan very close to a Nissan Cedric (Y30). Its production must nevertheless cease in 1994 without authorization. He then turns to the pick-up market, which seems to him more lucrative. He took the example of the Toyota Hilux to launch the GreatWall Deer in 1996. Thanks to its reduced price (between 60 and 70,000 Yuans), it quickly turns into a success. In October 1997, the first pick-ups are exported to the Middle East. In 1998, with 7,000 (in a very small Chinese market), it is the best-selling pick-up.
In late 1999, Greatwall begins to implement significant investments to become independent in terms of engines. His models are then fitted with engines supplied by a subsidiary of Brilliance. Which is also one of the founders of a new rival of Greatwall, ZXAuto also located in the province of Hebei.
After a second model of pick-up (Sailor), Greatwall launched its first SUV in 2002. The Severin (Saifu ) which is modeled on the Toyota 4Runner, in 2003 it is the most sold SUV in China. It will be followed in 2005 by the model that will be the real success of the brand. The Hover, copied on the Isuzu Axiom, will be for many years the best-selling SUV in China, and will be the basis of the launch of Haval brand. And to conduct its launch, the third phase of the Baoding plant is inaugurated, with a capacity of 200,000 units.
Also in 2005, GreatWall confirmed its interest in exporting its models. And with the implantation of a CKD production in Russia, it becomes the first Chinese manufacturer to produce in a foreign country.
2007 marks a turning point. With a new logo, but more importantly the official permission to produce sedans, the first model did not take long to appear.It is the Peri (or GWPeri), which furiously resembles a Fiat Panda, embellished with some details of Nissan Note style. Fiat files a lawsuit, without being proved right, but eventually obtain the ban on the sale of Peri in Europe.
Some great brands:
-1984: Foundation of GreatWall
-1990: Repurchase by Wei Jianjun
-1993: First GreatWall car
-1996: Launch of the Deer pick-up
-1997: First exports
-2001 First engines "homemade"
-2002: First SUV
-2003: Listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
-2005: Production start in Russia
-2005: GreatWall Hover
-2005: First sedan since 1993, GreatWall Peri
-2010: Presence in the Dakar
-2011: SUV H6
-2013: Launch of the Haval brand
-2017: Launch of Wey brand
The brands:
A single brand for a long time, GreatWall product first pickups and SUVs, then after 2008 sedans or an ephemeral minivan. The launch of the first sedans is promising, and Greatwall then deploys a wide range of compact city cars and multiple projects will be presented, often very "inspired" by existing models, mainly Toyota. Not all of them is produced, like the big C70 for example. But since the launch of Haval, the brand is abandoned and no longer produces the C30 sedan and pickups.
-C30: 4-door compact sedan
-Wingle 5 and Wingle 6: Pick-ups range
Following the success of the Hover, GreatWall decided to focus on SUVs. And even launches a new brand. In 2013 Hover Haval becomes phonetically similar, but less sensitive vis-à-vis the rights on the brand name (with Hoover in particular). In 2015, the brand begins to decline its models in versions Red (more dynamic) and Blue (more elegant).
-H1: small urban SUV, with two vehicles under the same name ... 3m90 in H1 Blue, and 4m in H1 Red
-H2S: intermediate between H1 and H2, 4m14
-H2: Compact SUV, 4m33, Red and Blue
-H5: the original Hover always valiant
-H6: the best-selling SUV in China ... just renewed its versions H6 Blue and H6 Red. The old model remains available under the name of H6 Classic
-H6 Coupe: H6 version with a more reclining rear and floating roof way the Evoque. In Red and Blue too
-H7 / H7L: Large D SUV (4m70) in Red or Blue. The H7L from 4m90 with 7 seats, which is only available in Blue at the moment
-H8: SUV high-end (4m80) largely inspired by the Volkswagen Touareg (Red only)
-H9: large more oriented SUV off-road inspired for his Toyota Land Cruiser (Red only)
At the end of 2016, GreatWall announced at the Guangzhou trade fair its new Wey brand, marketed in April 2017. A brand of higher standard of quality than Haval. The name is a tribute to Wei Jianjun, and logo or vertical lighting signature evokes one of the landmarks of the city of Baoding.
-VV5: Compact SUV, segment C (4m46), upcoming commercialization
-VV7: SUV of the segment D (4m75), declined in VV7c and VV7s, according to a strategy similar to the Red / Blue of Haval.
Joint-ventures: 
Greatwall has not signed a joint venture agreement for production in China.

Original Source : leblogauto.com

Ily Es

 Translator