(JW Insights) May 19 -- China’s auto manufacturer Great Wall Motor(GWM,长城汽车) is accelerating its electrification shift and unveiling its all-new HAVAL new energy vehicle lineup to attract more customers, Yicai Global reported on May 18.

Northern China’s Hebei Province-based GWM intends to launch an electric off-road SUV and an urban SUV in its lineup this year after releasing Haval Xiaolong and Haval Xiaolong Max, two NEV models in the Haval SUV series that also has gas-powered cars, with independent sales channels.

Haval Xiaolong and Haval Xiaolong Max only come in electric versions as the carmaker learned through primary market feedback that potential NEV buyers prefer all-NEV series to hybrid ones, Li Ruifeng, chief growth officer, explained to Yicai Global.

Haval is the bedrock of sales for GWM and that is why the company’s electrification strategy relies on the transformation of the marque, Li said.

The Haval H6 ranked No. 1 in China’s SUV market for several years until BYD’s Song Plus DM-i sold more last year, prompting GWM to step up its electric vehicle efforts.

Car buyers are looking to go electric and big automotive companies do not necessarily have an advantage in NEVs.

According to the China Passenger Car Association, GWM was one of China's top 10 NEV sellers in April with 13,700 units, but BYD scored nearly 200,000 units and even Geely Holding Group came in before GWM, said the Yicai Global report.

(Gao J)