Great Wall Haval H8 SUV – sales of flagship to resume

GWM-Haval-H8-SUV

Great Wall Motor (GWM) will resume sales of its Haval H8 SUV at the upcoming 2014 Beijing Motor Show after months of delays. The brand’s flagship SUV was officially unveiled at last year’s Guangzhou Motor Show, but GWM delayed sales after pre-launch test drives by motoring journalists yielded negative feedback concerning the SUV’s brakes, steering and noise levels.

China’s largest SUV maker then went back to the drawing board, and released a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (where it is listed), listing down eight “deficiencies” to be corrected before launch. They are, in GWM’s words:

1. Conservative engine setting with no significant difference between the Sport mode and the Economy mode
2. Short lag time of seatbelt alert after engine starts
3. Low steering resistance
4. Long brake operating distance
5. Insensitive door stoppers
6. Complicated operating procedures of certain functions
7. Engine noise, tyre noise and wind noise to be reduced
8. Monotonous pattern of the central console

“The Company has decided to perfect and improve Haval H8 in order to further enhance the quality of the Company’s products. The launch will be deferred for three months from the date of this announcement and pre-orders will not be accepted. As for the customers who have already placed their orders, the Company will contact them for arrangements based on their wishes,” the statement read.

GWM says it has now fixed the above problems and will start taking orders for the Haval H8 at Auto China. Powered by a 2.0L direct-injection turbo engine mated to a six-speed auto, the 4WD is priced from 201,800 yuan (RM105,251) in China. That’s a lot more than other SUVs in GWM’s domestic range, which range from 63,800 yuan (RM33,288) to 105,800 yuan (RM55,188).

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • It’s good to see they can identify their own mishaps before it goes on sales. Proton always take action after getting feedbacks from customer which at some point they just say “you get what you pay…want a good car with no noise go buy mercedes”

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 62 Thumb down 9
    • Proton can but have to spend few million to create such car but in the end would anyone pay RM200,000.00 for a Proton car?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 7
      • Despite all that additional improvements which we should say kudos to them for admitting it, they are only selling it at rm105k onwards for large SUV n not rm200k.

        Wonder when in the near future the world will start seeing Chinese made vehicles as the staple car for the average. Just like the Koreans but twice faster. Remember how people used to make fun of Korean cars? Not like proton, they made fun of proton then, still make fun of them now and will make fun of proton in the future!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 41 Thumb down 9
        • Avatar on Apr 16, 2014 at 3:55 pm

          How are you going to make fun Proton latest model start with Exora, Preve, Suprima soon followed by GSC. All are good car. In reality nobody buying chinese car not even Malaysians want to, just check how many car sold by Chery or greatwall, not even 50 car per month.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 29
          • All these Exora, Preve …. are craps. After so many decades, still got power window problem. Don’t believe, try it at the showroom. No wonder they are struggling to sell.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 22
          • i dont have to, do i? For those who thinks the whole world revolves around them its called the global market or in boleh land they call it “jaguh kampung”….opps Proton cant even say that can they thanks to P2! remember in the 90’s when KIA was laughed at and sold less than 50 cars a month. By the way last year chery and GW sold 752 units that is more than 50 units a month for those who like to get their facts right..!!! Didnt GW also secured the first EEV license from MITI with a commitment of RM 2 billion in investment in Msia. GW was incorporated in 1984 and now sell just under 1 million vehicles globally and have much more comprehensive range of models not to mention they own Volvo as well. Lets compare that to Proton? GW started very much with goverment funds but now seem to be moving independent of that. this is not to glorify GW but to show what extreme manipulation in the market, extreme corruption and bad management can result in. Unless the Msian automotive policies are revanmped Proton will bleed out cash (look at their cash reserves) and will never make it out side of boleh land!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 33 Thumb down 7
          • Hyundai DeLa Junk (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 5:13 pm

            Buying a China car is just asking for trouble. China is full of corruption and every part in the China made car is compromised. Never trust the China company. Everything is about cutting corners. Even safety standards. Don’t be surprised if the airbags don’t inflate in an accident.

            Have you wondered why you buy Samsung phone and not Oppo or Huawei or ZTE? Yes, you too, don’t trust china companies despite not admitting it.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 36
          • Hyundai DeLa Junk (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 5:33 pm

            The Chinese in Malaysia are not even buying their own mother tongue car. How other races want to buy?

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 30
          • Hyundai DeLa Junk (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 5:39 pm

            A6, Great Wall got EEV licence is so suspect. We all know what happened lah. How can a company registered just last year can pump 2 billion?

            By the way, nobody buy China vehicles except their own 1 billion population. China cars are so low in quality and full of suspect quality parts that every country in the world has nearly zero sales.

            In a population of 1 billion, of course they can sell 1 million easily. Like India, Tata can sell 1 million also easily.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 27
          • Im sure most think the EEV license GW got has something wrong to it. But that is our G’s fault isn’t. The EEV license parameters are negotiated individually which means its not neccesary EEV but just getting FDI into the automotive industry so folks in Miti can high 5 among themselves that they meet the FDI target given to them. Even if there is any corruption elements involved there is one party giving and another party taking it. Guess who’s taking it?

            It doesn’t matter who buys it as long as somebody buys it. Yes their sales are majority from China. However they have 100,000 units sold outside of China. Compare that to proton? They have only recently set up shop outside of China and are already showing results. Thats what matter not what race buys what. The race mentality is what makes M’sians look backwards while the whole world moves forward.

            Obvioulsy they have image issues related to “made in China” branding. Not to mention their cars are not aesthetically or mechanically superior. What about Proton’s made in boleh land issue? Did you know that the entire streering rack of the Exora is made in China not to mention any other parts? End of the day sales numbers dont lie and thats what matters.

            By the way where is Ipone made at? Have anyone opened up your Samsung fridge or airconditioning and seen the made in China sticker?

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 2
        • proton is so slow.. hw to compete with others?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
    • kzm (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 4:04 pm

      well…when p1 launch preve last time people start to complaint..coz so late to launch la, wasting money la, marketing gimmick la, takut la, stupid la…even gsc oso seem people start to make noise

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 4
    • Green on Apr 16, 2014 at 4:21 pm

      I think Benz is Very noisy from the outside.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
      • do_4u on Apr 27, 2014 at 2:08 pm

        Mercedes C260 got the squeezing noise problem from its chassis. pretty common on this model. btw, gas mileage is not good.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • sudonano (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    What kind of intrigues me is, what if the car was not given to journalists, these problems would not have been weeded out.

    How could they reveal the car, almost put it on sale, when it is not even safe, long brake travel? That’s not good…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 8
    • Aquila on Apr 16, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      Most probably recall…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • dingdong bell on Apr 16, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      at lease they mean to fix it, they might be lack behind many other now, but i can see they working hard to improve on every aspect.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 2
    • theanswer on Apr 16, 2014 at 3:47 pm

      at least they listen and better than sell it and have to recall it later. it will cost them millions and time consuming.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
    • Hyundai DeLa Junk (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 6:46 pm

      China can sell poisonous baby milk also and many babies died but they can get away with it scott free. Why? Because they are super power. No country dare to offend them because they will lose a big market to sell their products.

      China companies have no ethics. So many people die every year because got no safety standards in the company and those die are just statistics. Nobody can question.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 16
  • niterunner99 on Apr 16, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Looks like a Audi Q5!! at least the size is close!
    Hope they can solve those issues with next facelift.

    BTW, what’s: ‘short lag time of seatbelt after engine start’??
    is it the driver expect the seatbelt signal sound to go off immediately everytime ppl gets into car??
    I think a second or two delay after engine starts is acceptable.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Black Dog on Apr 16, 2014 at 4:04 pm

      I think it means the seat belt warning sounded too early after the ignition is started which is quite annoying. Normally a few seconds delay or when the car moves for time to put on the seat belt.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • a respectable move from a chinese company. malaysian companies hardly show this kind of enthusiasm to their products and customers… sad fact.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 4
    • theanswer on Apr 16, 2014 at 3:50 pm

      they already catching up! Qoros scored highest safety rating in eu ncap. haval m4 got positive review from our local journo.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
      • Hyundai DeLa Junk (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 5:35 pm

        China is Champion in corruption. See how ZTE and Huawei conquered all the networks despite being so low in quality and always breakdown? Alcatel and Ericsson, much higher quality also lose out. People in China can make any magic happen and get any award. All under the table money.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 19
  • AVH (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    Not in my eyes the prettiest design around, kind of reminds me of the previous generation Touareg facelift. Anyways, I think is great that car makers are doing the best thay can to rectify their problems and this coming from a Chinese car company is no less suprising. Following up Honda and Chevrolet doing ’emergency’ facelift of their models now when responds gets negative and is great that GWM is doing it BEFORE its even launch.

    however, even thou the company claim to have rectify the problem, I am still not entirely sold…. until another team of journalist goes out and confirm the changes, than an applause is due.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 3
  • guan eng jr on Apr 16, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    Looks nice in picture. Hope more msian chinese buy and support their mainland product and help the market to grow. Competition will force their competitors like Audi Q7 to drop price.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 3
    • Chow Siew Han on Apr 16, 2014 at 5:06 pm

      Long live mother tongue education!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 7
    • Hyundai DeLa Junk (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 5:30 pm

      Malaysian Chinese know China products are a fraud. how to support them?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 17
  • loose (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    good move at least they want rectify it before past to the customer,but i still believe proton more than china product. sorry just in my faith

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 3
  • Allen toyota subang on Apr 16, 2014 at 7:56 pm

    Why they bother to withold the launch? YES, the threat of death by the firing squad and long imprisonement…REMEMBER the milk-melamine scandal…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 6
    • fair play on Apr 17, 2014 at 4:48 am

      Western media would love to see their China phobic propaganda working here. The Melamine milk scam is very much hyped up. Melamine is a non-toxic, non-soluble plant protein which incidentally is also made into melamineware crockeries. For many years cheating farmers have added white melamine powder to maintain the protein content of diluted milk.

      The complications was recently discovered that fine insoluble melamine power taken in large quantities can clog up kidney tissues killing about a dozen babies tragically. The consequences is much worse than the criminal intent, and several people were severely punished with at least one capital punishment, which should be enough to clean up the scam, but Western media will perpetually remind the world of the melamine milk, while easily hundreds could be dying globally every year from milk sourced food poisoning every year.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • nabill (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    They have a long way when it comes to perception,cheap prices can only take u so far…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Zhang on Apr 17, 2014 at 1:02 am

    Chinese in Malaysia are MALAYSIAN not CHIN(A)ESE. I for one will buy
    car which is value for money. Still remember back in the 70’s we used to
    laughed at those driving Milo can car , Datsun 1200 n 120Y. European cars especially Merc is the Car. Now, the World associate quality n reliability with Japs cars. Koreans’ are catching up fast. Chinese n Indian
    cars are expected to give the above mentioned a run for their monies before the end of 21st. Century. Any country which has the ability to launch rockets into space and make their own fighter jets should be able to make a decent car if they continue to focus. We should learn from past
    experiences so that we don’t find us laughing at ourselves further down the road. CHEERIO Bro……

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  • v-power on Apr 17, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    It’s a case of deja-vu…remember when Korean-made first showed-up on our doorsteps, once upon a time…?

    So I don’t want to pass judgement on China-made cars just yet…but the fact that Haval felt compelled to rectify the problems immediately (which is quite unheard of in this time & day) after some bunch of motoring journos gave some feedback during a pre-launch test, says a lot about the company’s character…and put quite a few carmakers today to shame. It’s those little attention to detail that makes all the difference…and change perceptions…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • do_4u on Apr 27, 2014 at 2:20 pm

      Heard of the motto of GWM: a bit progress for every day.
      Not very big words but pratical. Seems like what you are doing as well.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • pesua' on Apr 24, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    As an owner of GWM car since 2012, I think their car is decent, but the only thing that is lack for now is the service center. The perception can be slowly change later when public recognized this product is better than what they expect. It may takes time but just wait and see.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
 

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