Chinese media has started reporting that the testing of the production Haval Concept H PHEV has begun. The image above, posted by Autohome.com.cn, shows a test mule of the new plug-in hybrid electric SUV in China. The production version features a completely different hexagonal grille with horizontal slats, a piece similar to that of the first-gen Hyundai Creta, and smaller wheels. The headlamps of the prototype are probably provisional and the second prototypes should have more production-oriented parts.
Great Wall Motors displayed an array of cars at the Auto Expo 2020 and the display included the Haval Concept H plug-in hybrid electric SUV. The Concept H made its global debut at the expo and was expected to be among the first set of products to launch in India under the Haval brand.
Haval Concept H
No technical details were revealed at Auto Expo 2020 but it seemed that Great Wall had got the design part right with the Haval Concept H. The headlamps and tail lamps seem to be inspired from a boomerang tool and the large grille had an attractive jewel-like pattern. Blue accents adorn the front bumper and wheels to display the ‘green’ credentials of the plug-in SUV. Inside, the concept gets a floating infotainment system and there seems to be another screen on the lower part of the centre console for cabin controls.
The car will be produced at the company’s Talegaon factory, which Great Wall Motors has signed an agreement to acquire from General Motors. The acquisition was expected to be completed in the second half of 2020. However, the COVID-19 outbreak has caused a slowdown in the industry and new automakers are postponing their launches in India. Haval’s Chinese nationality is perhaps the bigger issue.
Diplomatic tensions with China have prevailed since June this year following the conflict at the border. The Indian government is now carefully vetting investments for Chinese companies in India. In June, a report from autocarindia.com said that the Maharashtra government has put Great Wall Motors’ investment in the state on hold. The Chinese conglomerate planned to invest INR 3,770 crore in the state towards its auto plant. The negative sentiment towards Chinese brands is not helping and as a result, Haval’s landing in India is anything but smooth.
Great Wall Motors also displayed a fully electric SUV, Haval Vision 2025 Concept at the expo, which premiered at 2019 Auto Shanghai and is promoted as a global intelligent SUV in the new era.
