GWM’s P Series bakkie arrives in SA in commercial, passenger guise

7th December 2020 By: Irma Venter - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

GWM’s P Series bakkie arrives in SA in commercial, passenger guise

Haval Motors South Africa (HMSA) has finally lifted the veil on the local version of its new Great Wall Motors (GWM) P Series bakkie.

According to HMSA the recent introduction of the P Series has seen GWM make rapid gains in the Chinese bakkie market. 

With market share holding steady between 24% and 31% in China since 2010, the P Series launch saw this increase to 42% in 2019, jumping to 54% in 2020.

More than 10 000 units retailed in November in China.

HMSA says it has sold more than 50 000 GWM bakkies in the local market since 2007, with a market share in this popular segment of around 2%.

The new P Series launch sees the introduction of two versions of the pickup in South Africa – commercial and passenger.

The double cab is available in both versions, but the single cab is only available as a commercial version. 

Both manual and automatic transmissions are available in all versions, except the single cabs, which only utilise manual transmission. The P Series marks the first time GWM introduces an auto transmission on a pickup, this being a ZF eight-speed gearbox. 

In total, there are 16 versions of the P Series on offer in South Africa, with ten specification lists and six colour variants. 

HMSA promises that the P Series is “jampacked” with technology, including auto cruise control, self-adaptive cruise control and smart cruise control support, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and traffic sign recognition. 

This list also includes a seven-inch LCD virtual instrument cluster, intelligent voice control, remote startup, a nine-inch multimedia screen, Android and Apple Car play, as well as wireless phone charging.

There are two airbags on base models, and up to seven airbags in the top-specification vehicles. Vehicle stability and traction control are standard across the range, as are hill-hold assist and park distance control.

The vehicle is also equipped with three USB outlets, as well as a 220 V power supply and 12 V power supply.

There is also a rear step that integrates into the tailgate. 

The P Series will only be available with a 2 l turbo diesel engine in South Africa, with the powerplant delivering 120 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque.

Pricing for the single cab commercial model starts at R339 900, including VAT, and at R369 900 for the double cab commercial version.

The passenger double cab range starts at R434 900.

HMSA offers a five-year/100 000 km warranty on the vehicle, as well as a five-year/100 000 km service plan.