GWM’s Aussie tuning program to shape global models
Chinese brand’s tech boss admits its vehicle dynamics were “not good” before the local tuning programThe News
GWM says criticism from Australia and New Zealand helped expose shortcomings in its vehicle dynamics, ultimately leading to the hire of ex-Holden engineer Rob Trubiani who heads up the brand’s local ‘AT-1’ tuning program. And the improvements are now being rolled out in markets around the world.
The Key Details
- GWM initially resisted dynamics criticism from Australia and NZ
- Local feedback led to the creation of AT-1 tuning program
- Program spearheaded locally by Rob Trubiani
- Aussie learnings now influencing vehicles in Europe, South Africa and Brazil
- Customer satisfaction improved globally following changes
The Finer Details
“When we [first] shipped vehicles to Australia and New Zealand, we got some complaints, especially to the suspension, to the chassis,” GWM chief technology officer Nicole Wu told Australian media.
“At the beginning, our engineers did not agree. We think ‘no! our chassis, our suspension is perfect – we haven’t got any complaints from customers [in China] so why do Australian and New Zealand people complain?’.
“We didn’t understand. [But] we have local managers and teams and they told me that ‘no they’re not good’, so we sent engineers to Australia to drive and test with local people, and we learned a lot.
“And yes, we agreed with your opinions and complaints. We realised we needed to optimise our suspension.”
That’s now done via a local tuning program led by Rob Trubiani, who was hired as GWM’s product engineering manager in early 2025.
Dubbed AT-1, the program underpins local models including the Haval H6 and H6 GT SUVs, as well as the Cannon Alpha ute and soon, the new Ora 5 compact SUV.
The Chinese carmaker expects the majority of its models to come with an AT-1 flavoured tune from mid-2026, progress of which could be halted given the recent sale of Lang Lang proving ground, a Victoria-based facility where the majority of the tuning program takes place.
The Road Ahead
The feedback, which Wu said GWM used to improve its vehicles and ultimately form the basis of the local AT-1 tuning program, is now being used in other markets like South Africa, Europe and Brazil.
“When we solved the problem from Australia and New Zealand, it turns out that customers in other areas were also satisfied.
“So [the learnings from Australia and New Zealand] helped us become better, stronger and satisfy more markets globally.”
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