Johannesburg – Great Wall Motors has become the first of the Chinese players on the South African automotive landscape to move upmarket, with the introduction of its larney sub-brand Haval, starting with the launch this week of the H2 compact crossover.
GWM South Africa, now controlled by its Chinese parent company and renamed Haval Motors Africa, is putting a lot of emphasis on safety and build quality, stressing features such as the H2’s five-star rating in Chinese NCAP testing, thanks in part to front, side and curtain airbags, which are standard across the range.
Motorvation is provided by a 1.5-litre turbopetrol four, rated for 105kW and 202Nm, driving the front wheels via your choice of either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
The H2 will be available in South Africa in a range of three trim levels – City, Premium and Luxury – the latter boasting such features as six-way electrically adjustable driver's seat to automatic headlamps and wipers, a high-resolution touch-screen infotainment system and ‘durable, man-made leather upholstery’.