The launch of the GWM P-Series range of Commercial and Passenger bakkies locally – all 16 variants – has truly set the proverbial cat among the pigeons in the highly contested light commercial market where the company’s extremely keen pricing will ruffle feathers.

With the top spec flagship nearly R200 000 less expensive than comparable specification from the more established traditional players, the P-Series offers a significant value proposition across the range.

Great Wall Motors – GWM – is a massive player in the Chinese market with close on 50% of the bakkie parque in that country being a GWM. However, it is also a major global exporter and in ramping this up it has had to seriously up its own game to meet very stringent quality and safety requirements in the countries it services – most of them far stricter than South African requirements.

The P-Series – called the Poer in China and some markets – comes with a high level of safety specification as standard from entry level through to the flagship amd all models also have high levels of luxury kit.

In China, GWM has held a market share of between 24% and 31% since 2010, but since the P-Series launch late in 2019, that figure jumped to 42% and then again to 54% in 2020 more than double its closest rival. In November alone over 10000 P Series bakkies were sold in China. In SA more than 50 000 GWM bakkies have been sold since 2007 with a market share of around 2% annually.

There are two versions of P-Series, namely Commercial and Passenger. Double cab is available in both versions, but single cab is available only as a commercial version. There are also both manual and automatic transmissions available in all versions except the single cabs, which only utilise manual transmission versions.

In total, there are 16 version of P-Series on offer in South Africa with 10 attractive specification lists. 

Available in six colour variants there is a P-Series to match your lifestyle as well as your taste. The headlights are styled on panther eyes, ready to pounce.

Position plays it role in how GWM, through local operation, Haval Motors South Africa, has pitched the product – dividing it into two groups, Commercial and Passenger, even giving them different front grille designs.

Double cab is available in both versions, but single cab is available only as a commercial version. There are also both manual and automatic transmissions available in all versions except the single cabs, which utilise manual transmissions. 

The entire range of P-Series bakkies has high levels of safety, more safety than any previous GWM pick up.

Crash bags feature on all models and vary from two on base models up to seven in the top specification, while vehicle stability and traction control is standard across the range as well as hill hold assist.

Park distance control is standard on all models and, moving upward in the range it changes from reverse camera to a full 360 view in the flagship.

The all-new P Series uses an Armour system body design as well as a high strength Ladder frame, which together create improved torsional and bending stiffness.

Convenience and value-added items are also in abundance in the form of a damped rear tailgate, an exclusive rear step that integrates into the tailgate, a standard plastic bed liner, and a standard roll bar on certain models.

4X4 derivatives of the P Series are capable off roaders featuring 232 mm of ground clearance as well as an entry angle and exit angle of 27 degrees and 25 degrees respectively. Borg Warner takes care of the TOD Intelligent all-wheel-drive system featuring 2H, Auto and 4L modes and various Off-road modes.

The P-Series offers just one engine choice, a 2,0-litre Turbo Diesel that delivers 120 kW and 400 Nm of torque. This product marks the first time that GWM will introduce Auto Transmission on a pickup and this being the ZF 8 Speed Auto gearbox.

COMMERCIAL 2.0TD SINGLE CAB VERSION

RECOMMENDED RETAIL incl. vat

SX 4X2 6MT                  R339 900

SX 4X4 6MT                  R384 900

DLX 4X2 6MT                R359 900

DLX 4X4 6MT                R404 900

COMMERCIAL 2.0TD DOUBLE CAB VERSION

RECOMMENDED RETAIL incl. vat

SX 4X2 6MT                  R369 900

SX 4X2 8AT                  R404 900

SX 4X4 6MT                  R414 900

SX 4X4 8AT                  R449 900

DLX 4X2 6MT                R389 900

DLX 4X2 8AT                R424 900

DLX 4X4 6MT                R434 900

DLX 4X4 8AT                R469 900

PASSENGER 2.0TD DOUBLE CAB VERSION

RECOMMENDED RETAIL incl. vat

LS 4X2 8AT                   R434 900

LS 4X4 8AT                   R479 900

LT 4X2 8AT                   R499 900

LT 4X4 8AT                   R544 900

WARRANTY AND SERVICE PLAN

• 5YR/100 000KM WARRANTY
• 5YR/100 000KM SERVICE PLAN
• 5YR UNLIMITED MILEAGE AA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
• ACROSS ALL P-SERIES MODELS