Great Wall's new Steed

Great Wall Motors Australia has confirmed its new dual-cab ute will be called the Steed when it goes on sale in October.

Australia's pioneering Chinese vehicle brand announced three weeks ago that it will re-enter Australia's lucrative pick-up market after an 18-month hiatus and now it has also released basic specs.

GWMA says the Steed range will comprise three dual-cab variants -- 4x4 diesel, 4x2 diesel and 4x2 petrol – all fitted as standard with electronic stability control and six airbags.

The company previously revealed the Steed – a name also used in the UK – will be available with a six-speed manual transmission, Borg-Warner torque on demand intelligent four-wheel drive system and Eaton differential lock.

“In its home country, the Great Wall ute is called Wingle, which translates to ‘horse’. That’s why it has been called the Steed in the United Kingdom and why we have chosen that name,” said GWMA managing director Parker Shi.

"With its tough, rugged durability, we’re confident the Great Wall Steed will become a new best friend for many Australian farmers and tradesmen.”

Great Wall Motors -- the first Chinese brand to set up shop in Australia, back in June 2009 – assumes control of its Australian and New Zealand operations from independent importer Ateco Automotive on July 1.

Details of the commercial settlement between Ateco and GWM remain secret, but most existing Great Wall dealers will remain retailers for the brand. GWMA will share its headquarters with sister company HAVAL Motors Australia in Melbourne.

At its Australian peak in 2012, when more than 11,000 Great Wall V-Series utes and X-Series SUVs were sold, Ateco had a national dealer network of about 90 dealers, before the distribution dispute saw imports cease and sales all but stop in 2014.

While HAVAL will continue to offer only SUV models in Australia, Great Wall will sell only light commercial vehicles here for the foreseeable future.