Save thousands on any new car (Australia-only): https://autoexpert.com.au/contact Get a great deal on home solar: https://autoexpert.com.au/solar GWM’s new 3.0-litre inline four-cylinder turbodiesel is coming to the Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha—and apparently this development has caused a substantial number of Australian car enthusiasts to suffer an immediate reality-processing failure. So, in this video, I answer some representative viewer questions and objections: Is GWM plagued by serious rust—or are people confusing it with an entirely different Chinese car brand? Does GWM have enough dealers and parts support for Australian buyers? Is extra power merely pointless bling for insecure men? Can anyone afford to run a diesel anymore? Should we wait 20 years and 500,000 kilometres before reporting any new automotive development? And have I betrayed my faithful Mitsubishi Triton simply by acknowledging that GWM’s new engine appears technically impressive? The Australian ute market is changing rapidly. Toyota, Ford, Mazda and Mitsubishi are losing substantial sales volume, while GWM, BYD and Chery continue to grow. That does not mean every Chinese vehicle is automatically brilliant. It does mean that treating every Chinese manufacturer as though it were the same company is intellectually indefensible. GWM has operated in Australia for 17 years, has more than 120 dealers, and is on track to sell about 60,000 vehicles here this year. The new 3.0-litre diesel’s precise turbocharging arrangement has not yet been officially disclosed, but its claimed performance suggests it is not being wound up as tightly as Ford’s 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel. This video is about separating legitimate questions concerning reliability, depreciation, servicing and durability from mythology, brand tribalism and reflexive xenophobia. Because reality remains the umpire of everything. #GWM #CannonAlpha #Tank500 #Diesel #ToyotaHilux #FordRanger #Utes #ChineseCars #CarNews #AutoExpert
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I've never lived in Australia but I'm old enough to remember the "rust problem" automaker and steel union members complained about Japanese cars in the 1980s. Giant distraction from the real problem: Japan had been implementing statistical process control since the 1960s and Detroit didn't. And while those companies complained about Japanese cars using "inferior" steel, they were quitly trying to source it for their own products. Today, nobody thinks Toyota or Honda cars suck. They are now "luxury" cars and it's the Detroit models that are shit.
When I bought my Cannon PHEV last September the Hilux and Ranger bros at work were very animated. They’re getting more and more quiet now………
I'm glad you mention about the rust issue (LDV). I can't believe how many people can't tell the difference between LDV and GWM.
Legacy brands are in strife.
Great to hear you bore it up the bogans, John. I used to be very much anti-Chinese vehicles, but as my Filipina wife and I own a GWM Cannon SLUX 4x4 dual cab pickup in Mindanao Philippines, I'd like to assure Mr Outback Joe Bogan in the Northern Territory that it can do all the stuff he suggested it could not. Where we live the road in is gravel, often muddy, and certainly we get a lot more rain than Dingo Piss Creek does. We've hauled large loads on the standard highway terrain tyres. That's with the 2.4 litre turbodiesel. I doubt that GWM will introduce the 3.0 litre turbodiesel here, as they don't sell the Cannon Alpha in the Philippines. A comparably equipped Toyota Hilux 4x4 would have cost us around 900,000 pesos more. That's about 21,000 Shitsville Pesos. Mind you, car prices here in the Philippines are pretty much on a par with Aussie prices, so your average Pinoy can't afford anything but a ten year old shitbox if they are lucky. The partner of one of my adult step-daughters here has access to a Ford Ranger 4x4, a Toyota Hilux 4x4, two Mitsubishi Tritons, including a biturbo Triton Athlete 4x4. He has also driven our GWM Cannon SLUX 4x4 on a number of occasions, and rates its performance better than even the biturbo Triton Athlete 4x4. That's high praise. Apologies for War and Peace, John.
I love how you wind people up, Funny
Hi John, just want to give some facts on my ownership experience with my Diesel Tank 300. I purchased because it drove well, had good value for money, was efficient and had a mad stereo! Also, previous GWM had zero problems and the dealer was very good to deal with purchasing and servicing that previous GWM. My Tank had a check engine light come on early in my ownership even though no problems with drivability. The dealer and GWM worked tirelessly and politely to fix the issue. Which they did, by a new ECU tune. Cannot speak highly enough of the dealer and GWM. I am not in a capital city. Just my factual reality.
I bought the first generation Great Wall X200 turbo diesel. Had it 15 years and never missed a beat. Brand new and paid phuck all. Nuff said.
Your bogan letter read voices are a tour de force John 😄
My Tank 300 has just done 70 000km. Always ran perfect, light on fuel, best vehicle I've ever owned. Did need a gearbox seal once that was leaking. Fixed under warranty. No issues and part was readily available from east coast. Would I buy another, yes for sure .
As a cattle station and Toyota fleet owner I do not have to accept Chinese vehicles. There's a reason I buy Knipex and Fein tools as well - Better staff productivity.
Well said, John. I went for the Alpha PHEV over the legacy brands because it’s packed with more features, has more power and torque than a VF SS Commodore, and is the most comfortable car I’ve ever driven. My dealership is just a five-minute walk from work, and all my mates who own Rangers and D-MAXs are totally impressed with it. And not to mention 7 year warranty and 8 year warranty on the battery for $20k cheaper than a hilux or ranger.
You need a part from the Toyota dealer in Newman, WA. It wont be sitting on a shelf, it will be shipped from Melbourne.
Toyota were once a new brand to Australia when Thiess imported them. They didn’t drop sales winners at their inception, it was a slow growth until they hit their stride.
As a Toyota Hilux owner (many of them for a very long time), I couldn't give a toss about extra power and grunt. I suspect many Hiluxs owners couldn't give a toss about POOOWWWWEEERRRRRR of other utes.
God help us all. John, you attract a special kind of nutter to your program.
Should we be concerned about filling our roads with connected cars from a nation our government identifies as a major strategic risk in the Indo-Pacific, and describes as a source of coercive and destabilising behaviour in the region? Or is it a case of “she’ll be right mate”? The Chinese government has legal access to data held by its automakers, unlike in countries where privacy protections limit government access to such information.
Regarding part's, I live in Geelong and was told by the dealership that the front brake pads would be a 3 day wait. That's a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder. I know I can get 3 day shipping in Burke. The Engine. A lazy 3 lt 6 cylinder sounds like every car tuners dream. GWM is going to be able to upgrade this motor for the next 20 years. And as for cheap pricing. When you have robots instead of people building the car to exacting standards, things get cheaper, you can use better products,and don't forget they don't have the market to get away with badge tax.Yet. Reliability, You show me A Hilux or Ranger at 90000 km that hasn't had an off service trip to the dealership for a 4k+ repair. Give the new bloke a chance.
Everything else we buy is made in China so it seems arbitrary to draw the line at cars. I say we all just agitate for stronger consumer protection laws to ensure that if they don't live up to their obligations to take care of customers they'll face meaningful consequences.
I put it to you that the guy at Tobermorey Station has a GWM dealer as close as the Toyota dealer, being that the closest City is Mount Isa.