GWM leans on plug-in hybrids and diesel for its Australian ute push
GWM is steering its Australian ute strategy towards plug-in hybrids and diesel, with the Cannon Hi4-T PHEV due from mid-October and a new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel now underpinning the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500.
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GWM signals a ute strategy built around hybrids and diesel
GWM has made clear that its Australian ute strategy is not centred on a battery-electric model. Speaking at the Everything Electric motor show in Sydney, GWM Australia and New Zealand chief operating officer John Kett said the local market is not ready for a battery-electric ute, while the brand is focusing on plug-in hybrid and diesel powertrains instead. That position aligns with GWM’s wider product messaging this year: the company has tied its ute plans to the Cannon Alpha’s new diesel and the Cannon family’s growing plug-in hybrid line-up, rather than to a pure EV ute announcement. 111310
Cannon Hi4-T PHEV timing, pricing and offer terms
The Cannon Hi4-T PHEV is due to reach GWM dealerships across Australia from mid-October 2026, with customer pre-orders already open. Carsauce reported the launch pricing as starting from $47,990 drive-away for eligible ABN buyers on the Lux grade, with a $2,000 drive-away bonus running until 31 October 2026 for vehicles purchased and delivered by that date; private buyers can access the same bonus on the same terms, or alternatively take a $2,000 fuel card instead of the drive-away discount. RACQ had earlier said GWM would not yet release drive-away pricing for the Cannon PHEV, and noted that the company was promising it would be one of Australia’s more affordable plug-in hybrid utes. GWM’s own Cannon Alpha page also points to 37.1kWh of usable battery capacity and a 6kW vehicle-to-load output, though it does not set out full local pricing on that page. 742
What the Cannon Hi4-T PHEV is confirmed to offer
Across the published specifications, the Cannon Hi4-T uses a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid drivetrain with a nine-speed hybrid automatic transmission and combined outputs of 310kW and 750Nm. It retains mechanical four-wheel drive with low range, an electronic rear differential lock and multiple terrain modes, and is listed with a 3500kg braked towing capacity. GWM’s published figures put the battery at 33.1kWh, electric-only range at up to 115km on the NEDC cycle, combined fuel consumption at 2.4L/100km under ADR81/02 testing, and total driving range at up to 1037km. GWM also lists DC fast charging at up to 110kW, with a 30 to 80 per cent charge time of 18 minutes, while PerthNow reported GWM describing the Cannon Hi4-T as combining performance intended for buyers transitioning from diesel to alternative fuel. 741
Diesel expands the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500
GWM’s other major ute-related change is the new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which the brand has introduced in the Cannon Alpha ute and Tank 500 off-road SUV. CarExpert reported the engine produces 170kW and 620Nm, with peak torque available from 1400rpm to 2400rpm, and said GWM’s goal is to use the diesel to help it become a top-five brand in Australia by 2027. GoAuto reported the same powertrain as part of GWM’s broader 2026 model push, saying Australia would be the lead global market for the engine, while PerthNow said GWM engineers had been in Australia refining ride, handling, transmission, throttle mapping and ADAS for the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 before the diesel’s arrival. 38105
Broader rollout, dealer growth and the ute market backdrop
The ute changes sit inside a much larger local expansion. Autotalk said GWM is planning up to 10 new or refreshed models in 2026, spanning SUVs, utes, passenger cars and multiple powertrains, while 4x4 Australia reported the dealer network is targeted to grow from 123 to 135 sites during the year, alongside stronger aftermarket support. CarExpert reported GWM delivered 52,809 vehicles in 2025 and is targeting more than 60,000 in 2026, and GoAuto said the brand’s June sales record lifted it to seventh place in the market with a 4.7 per cent share. In the ute segment, PerthNow said GWM claimed the Cannon Alpha PHEV had recorded 1343 sales in the first half of 2026, and that the Cannon Hi4-T would enter a market where PHEV ute sales were rising but pure electric ute volumes remained relatively modest. 96103
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- CarExpertcarexpert.com.au2 pages
- perthnow.com.au2 pages
- 4x4australia.com.au1 page
- autotalk.com.au1 page
- carsauce.com1 page
- GoAutogoauto.com.au1 page
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- racq.com.au1 page
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- GWM says Australia isn’t ready for electric utesRole not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?GWM says Australia isn’t ready for electric utes
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Cited in 2 paragraphs: GWM signals a ute strategy built around hybrids and diesel; What the Cannon Hi4-T PHEV is confirmed to offer.
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- GWM Cannon Alpha: PHEV & Diesel 4x4 UteRole not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?GWM Cannon Alpha: PHEV & Diesel 4x4 Ute
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Cited in 1 paragraph: Cannon Hi4-T PHEV timing, pricing and offer terms.
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Text retrieved 25 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- GWM bets on new diesel to become a top-five brand in ...News publisherSource extract saved
Why these labels?GWM bets on new diesel to become a top-five brand in ...
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Publishes automotive news and reviews and operates a car-buying service connecting buyers with dealers. Identity reference ↗
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Cited in 3 paragraphs: GWM signals a ute strategy built around hybrids and diesel; Diesel expands the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500; Broader rollout, dealer growth and the ute market backdrop.
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Text retrieved 25 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- GWM doubles down on PHEV utesRole not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?GWM doubles down on PHEV utes
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Cited in 2 paragraphs: Cannon Hi4-T PHEV timing, pricing and offer terms; What the Cannon Hi4-T PHEV is confirmed to offer.
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- GWM continues ADAS refinement for AustraliaRole not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?GWM continues ADAS refinement for Australia
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Cited in 1 paragraph: Diesel expands the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500.
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Text retrieved 25 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- GWM boosts dealer network and aftermarket support alongside expanded 2026 line-upRole not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?GWM boosts dealer network and aftermarket support alongside expanded 2026 line-up
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We have not documented this publisher’s role. An unassigned label is not a negative rating.
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Cited in 1 paragraph: Broader rollout, dealer growth and the ute market backdrop.
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Text retrieved 25 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- 2026 GWM Cannon Hi4-T Price and Specs: PHEV Ute Starts From ...Role not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?2026 GWM Cannon Hi4-T Price and Specs: PHEV Ute Starts From ...
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We have not documented this publisher’s role. An unassigned label is not a negative rating.
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Cited in 2 paragraphs: Cannon Hi4-T PHEV timing, pricing and offer terms; What the Cannon Hi4-T PHEV is confirmed to offer.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
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Text retrieved 25 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- GWM Australia plans new model onslaught, says 2026 will be its ...News publisherSource extract saved
Why these labels?GWM Australia plans new model onslaught, says 2026 will be its ...
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Publishes automotive news and reviews and operates a car-buying service connecting buyers with dealers. Identity reference ↗
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Cited in 1 paragraph: Diesel expands the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
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Text retrieved 25 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- GWM targets ‘top five’ ambition with 10-model rollout in 2026Role not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?GWM targets ‘top five’ ambition with 10-model rollout in 2026
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We have not documented this publisher’s role. An unassigned label is not a negative rating.
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Cited in 1 paragraph: Broader rollout, dealer growth and the ute market backdrop.
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Text retrieved 25 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- GWM plots biggest Aussie model assault yetNews publisherSource extract saved
Why these labels?GWM plots biggest Aussie model assault yet
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GoAutoMedia publishes automotive industry and consumer news, vehicle reviews and model information. Identity reference ↗
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Cited in 3 paragraphs: GWM signals a ute strategy built around hybrids and diesel; Diesel expands the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500; Broader rollout, dealer growth and the ute market backdrop.
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Text retrieved 25 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- GWM’s ute strategy leans away from pure EVs in AustraliaRole not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?GWM’s ute strategy leans away from pure EVs in Australia
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We have not documented this publisher’s role. An unassigned label is not a negative rating.
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Cited in 1 paragraph: GWM signals a ute strategy built around hybrids and diesel.
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Text retrieved 25 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
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GWM Cannon Hi4-T launch undercuts the PHEV ute market
GWM has launched the Cannon Hi4-T PHEV in Australia with a time-limited offer that places it at the bottom of the local plug-in hybrid ute price stack.
