Hybrids in Haval's future

Haval has launched its three-model SUV range in Australia without a single diesel variant available, but there will be diesels offered eventually, along with the prospect of petrol/electric hybrids.

The brand as a new entrant in the Australian market is facing an uphill battle to establish itself, and the lack of diesel engine options just serves to make that task harder still.

Addressing local journalists on Tuesday night, local MD Parker Shi did say that Haval's parent company Great Wall was currently working on a 3.0-litre diesel V6 that would be suitable for SUV applications and would be offered to Australian consumers down the track.

"We are all in the business of automotive, and we are aware of what the people need. The diesel engine obviously is very highly in demand... especially for large SUVs," Shi said.

"Our R&D centre is planning and developing a diesel engine. All engines we're using in our vehicles are Great Wall-made."

Haval Australia's Chief Marketing Officer, Tim Smith, said that the company was aware of the local market's preference for diesel-engined SUVs over petrol variants.

"We've done several business cases on both H8 and H9 having different fuel types, and we are very aware of the buyer types in that segment," Smith said.

"Our business case is still sitting with our head office and they're very supportive of our efforts to try and drive an engine choice in the bigger models for us.

"The business case needs to work out. Euro 6 complicates things, and the recent troubles have also complicated things somewhat, but both Parker and I are very aware of the fact that engine choice in the larger models is necessary to further promote our brand and grow that part of our business."

By 'recent troubles', Smith was referring to Volkswagen's 'dieselgate' strife in the USA, which involved diesel passenger cars specifically rigged to return substantially lower levels of nitrogen oxide emissions under test conditions than in normal road-going operation.

Shi blames Volkswagen for alleged worldwide dissatisfaction with diesel fuelled-vehicles – and he alleged that dieselgate had delayed Great Wall's development of the diesel V6 for Haval's H8 and H9 SUVs.

"The hybrid is our future," Shi continued. "As long as we have very good technology, commercialised for our vehicles, then we will have much more environmentally friendly engines for the people.

"The diesel engine is still on the way..." Shi confirmed, but he also revealed development has slowed in the aftermath of the dieselgate affair. He also mused out loud whether other manufacturers around the world were similarly guilty.

The further implication is that Great Wall is taking its time to make sure its new engine is capable of meeting the Euro 6 emissions standard  and is squeaky clean – in more than one way.

Pictured: Parker Shi (centre) and Tim Smith (right of picture)