Many Chinese car brands have followed a whimpering trajectory in the South African market over the years, being labelled as low quality and cheap, and failing to stand the test of time on local roads. That is all being reinvented by Haval. The extension of the GWM brand – launched in SA in 2017 – had been making steady inroads until 2021 when the Jolion model saw thousands of locals sell their cars in favour of the reasonably priced and stylish compact SUV all-rounder. In January 2022, the brand topped long-standing automotive champions like Kia, Ford, Renault and Isuzu to rank in 5th position in the NAAMSA car sales report.
What has made this brand pivot to a steady spot in the top 10 car brands in SA in such a short time? And why should you sell your car to buy one?
A short history
Once considered a fringe player in the South African automotive market, Haval entered the country with a fresh badge, sophisticated look and quality product – distancing itself from previous Chinese competitors who simply wanted to undercut the opposition and appeal to cash-strapped buyers.
Haval had this to say about their offering: “Great Wall Motor has changed both our approach and trajectory to become more customer-centric, not just creating cars that have loads of extras and specifications as standard, but now also making sure these extras add value, are ready to use and improve the driver experience.”
After only existing in the country for just over half a decade, the brand has high (yet, realistic) hopes of reaching a top 5 spot in 2023. And with hybrid versions of the Jolion and H6 on the cards in the near future – and even a plug-in electric car, called the Ora, set to upset the exclusive electric car market – GWM and its subsidiaries won’t be saying goodbye to Mzansi anytime soon.
Would Haval have been as successful if it used the GWM badge? According to cars.co.za, that is unlikely.
What makes Haval stand out?
With poor road conditions and a less favourable economic outlook, South Africans are looking to buy reasonably priced SUVs (that withstand the potholes and keep their families safe on the roads) – all of which Haval surpasses with a whole lot of extra bells and whistles.
Let’s unpack Haval’s major pros:
- High-end equipment usually only reserved for range-topping vehicles like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 360° camera view, large infotainment display, sunroof, intelligent cruise control, auto lights and wipers
- Attractive exterior styling
- Affordable pricing in comparison to mainstream rivals
- A growing dealer network
- Quality finishes
- Spacious interiors and boot capacity (430 litre boot in the Jolion)
- Top level technology
- Excellent safety features
- Impressive performance
What’s less impressive is their fuel efficiency and brand reputation, but with many more of these cars on the road, it becomes less risky to sell your car and invest in a Haval.
How does Haval compare to reputable competitors?
Let’s take the Haval Jolion (the brand’s top selling brand in SA), and compare it with the VW T-Cross:
At the time of writing, the Jolion was at least R50 000 cheaper than the most affordable Comfortline T-Cross, with much more space, a number of added features like 360° camera, keyless access, 4 USB ports, adaptive cruise control and more. It’s only in the area of fuel consumption where Haval must step aside to VW.
With a significant wheelbase of 2 700mm, which is more than most family-sized SUVs like the VW Tiguan, Mazda CX-5 and Peugeot 3008, the Jolion has a lot more space than most compact SUVs.
But, if you compare it to the largely popular Toyota Corolla Cross, the Jolion does struggle to keep up with SA’s favourite and most trusted car brand. While the Jolion has a longer list of safety features and a slightly better performance, the Cross has one additional airbag. The Jolion sports a more futuristic design, while the Cross takes a more conservative look. The Cross has 6 litres more boot capacity and a whole lot more fuel economy. The Cross hybrid model boasts a mere 4.3 litres per 100kms while the Jolion struggles to stay in step with its claimed 7.5 litres per 100km.
Why should you sell your car to buy a Haval?
As SA’s #1 Chinese motor manufacturer with a consistent top 10 position in NAAMSA reports, Haval has given many popular mainstream brands a sleepless night or two.
Their range of SUVs, including the Jolion (which is small enough for getting from A to B and big enough for touring) means there’s no reason not to consider buying a Haval when deciding to upsize or sell your hatchback for a compact SUV.
This all translates to many South Africans opting for the new kid on the block ahead of trusted, long-standing brands. With space, striking design, luxury features and excellent safety ratings, it’s hard to believe that Haval’s prices aren’t a misprint.