Hordes flock to Great Wall

Ateco Automotive, the importer and distributor of Great Wall Motors (GWM), reports that the local dealer network sold 274 units of the Chinese-built light commercial vehicles during July.

With the entry-level SA220 racking up 62 sales and the 4x2 version of the V240 selling 85 units, it was the V240 4x4 that proved the most popular model in the range, on 127 units sold for the month.

"No one here is getting carried away at this early stage, but we are greatly encouraged by the initial success of Great Wall's products and the enthusiasm of our dealer network," says Ric Hull, Ateco MD.

Ateco took 300 orders for the GWM range during the month, a result that bodes well for the brand. Sales of pick-up/cab-chassis vehicles for July 2009 were actually 20.2 per cent (4x2) and 21.9 per cent (4x4) down on the same time last year, so Ateco has cause to be pleased with the initial demand.

The company also expects demand for the GWM range to remain strong through to the end of this year, as a consequence of the likely demand from small business buyers taking advantage of the investment allowance that officially ends December 31.

43 dealers have been appointed by Ateco to sell the brand throughout Australia and the network is still growing. Supply of the vehicles will be a short-term headache, says Ateco. Dealers are anticipating a further rush from buyers with the introduction of the X240 medium segment SUV (pictured), a small sedan and single cab variants of the current SA220 and V240 models in due course.

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