After a flurry of spyshots and much ado on social media, Great Wall Motors (GWM) has marked their entry into Thailand - with the 2021 Haval H6 being the highlight of the brand there. 

Wait, what's GWM?

You may recall GWM as the Chinese carmaker that took over the former General Motors plant in Rayong, which used to make the Chevrolet Sonic, Colorado, and Trailblazer.

Founded in 1984, GWM is now China’s No.3 ranking domestic brand in terms of sales. In 2020, it sold 885,776 cars in China alone, behind Changan’s 956,823 units and Geely Auto’s 1,317,108 units (including Lynk and Co).

At the virtual event that had just ended earlier, GWM said it will be launching its brand in Thailand with 9 models, 4 of which will be launched within 2021.

The company’s representatives also made multiple references to the GWM Pick-Up (also known as Pao in China), a Toyota Hilux-class 1-tonne pick-up truck, the cute battery-electric Ora Good Cat, and the focus of this post - the Haval H6.

Quick look at the H6

Expected to launch in Thailand at the Bangkok International Motor Show in March this year, that launch will also mark the car's ASEAN debut. It's also the first-ever right-hand drive (RHD) version of the SUV!

Specs and features of the Thai-spec SUV weren't detailed, but based on earlier spyshots, the Thai-spec car should come with a pretty generous list of features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a fully-digital instrument cluster, all wrapped up in a very slick black interior with silver trims.

Depending on variants, the China-spec H6 comes with a choice of two powertrains, which the Thai-spec car could mirror:

Meanwhile, the H6 sits on the Lemon platform, which also underpins the Haval Big Dog and First Love. Here's how it measures:

In Thailand, the H6 squares up against fellow Chinese rival, the MG HS, as well as Japanese competitors such as the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Subaru Forester.

And if you're wondering where the China's No. 1 title came from, it's here: The H6 is the country's best-selling SUV in 2020, outselling the Geely Boyue by a whopping 136,053 units.

Is it coming to Malaysia then?

Export from the company's Rayong plant to the rest of South East Asia, including Malaysia and Indonesia is in the plan. Details will be announced later. Present during the virtual event were representatives from Great Wall Motor ASEAN and Thailand, which is a separate team from Great Wall Motor Thailand.