All-New Haval H9 Joins Chinese Off-Roading Market Competition

Введение

Over the past year, the competition in the Chinese automobile market has become increasingly fierce. Even niche segments like off-road vehicles have become strategic battlegrounds for major manufacturers, with brands like Great Wall Motors and BYD vying for dominance. One such contender in the off-road category is Haval, a subsidiary of Great Wall Motors. Recently, spy photos of the all-new Haval H9 have surfaced, sparking the interest of off-road enthusiasts.

Redesigning the Iconic Haval H9

The current-generation Haval H9 first came to clients’ eyesight in September 2021 and has been on the market for over two years. It’s time for an update. The most significant change in the new model is in its front fascia. The current model features a waterfall-style grille and relatively ordinary headlight designs, resulting in a rather generic appearance. The new model, on the other hand, ditches the waterfall-style grille in favor of horizontal design elements, and the headlights adopt a more retro-inspired round shape.

These changes are expected to significantly enhance the vehicle’s aesthetics. However, from an objective perspective, it now bears a striking resemblance to the Tank 300, another SUV from Haval. This design language was previously seen in the Haval Big Dog. But how it avoids cannibalization will be a challenge that Great Wall needs to address. Moving to the rear, you’ll notice the side-hinged tailgate, externally mounted spare tire, and robust rear bumper – all classic off-road features. The Haval H9 is a bona fide off-roader, and no matter how its design evolves, its off-road DNA remains intact.

The GWM official has not released dimension info of the all-new Haval H9. But from the spy photos, it’s clear that it will remain a mid-size to large SUV. Its length is expected to exceed 5 meters, and both the wheelbase and ground clearance are likely to see improvements.

Under the Hood: All New Haval H9 Powertrain Speculations

In terms of the interior, there have been significant layout changes in the new model. It adopts an entirely new gear lever design and is equipped with a large central touchscreen. The current Haval H9’s interior layout is somewhat outdated, with less distinctive features. The new model, however, undergoes a significant transformation to align with modern consumer aesthetics.

Speculation suggests that the all-new Haval H9 will continue to offer the 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine from the current model. And this powerful ICE engine can deliver a maximum power output of 165 kW. Additionally, there’s a possibility of a 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel engine being offered. It’s common practice in the global off-road vehicle market to offer both gasoline and diesel versions of a model. Great Wall has adopted this strategy with its “Pao” series of pickup trucks, which includes both diesel and gasoline variants.

Regarding off-road performance, specific details about the Haval H9 have not been disclosed. However, it’s safe to assume that it will feature essentials like a three-lock differential, tank steering, four-wheel-drive system, and a robust chassis. As a next-generation model, the Haval H9 is likely to offer even more competitive features and capabilities than its predecessor.

Haval H9’s Path to Electrification and Overseas Markets

The Haval H9 is targeting a flagship position model in the Haval brand lineup, but it hasn’t achieved remarkable sales figures. It averages around 500 units sold per month, which is considered modest. In terms of performance, the current Haval H9 doesn’t excel in any particular area. Its powertrain performance is not particularly strong, its feature set is average, and it lags behind in terms of driver assistance technology.

Its continued sales are largely supported by existing loyal customers, and their demand for a replacement vehicle keeps the sales figures stable. Objectively speaking, the most effective way for the all-new Haval H9 to upgrade its appeal might adopt design of Great Wall’s Tank series. Although this engine has relatively high fuel consumption, it could still attract a portion of off-road enthusiasts.

However, the best approach might be to move towards electrification, aligning with the industry trend. The Haval H9 has an existing customer base. Such wider base can transit to a plug-in hybrid or pure electric could address the issue of high fuel consumption and appeal to a broader audience. Yet, this move could potentially create competition with the Tank brand. In the current landscape, more and more automakers are rapidly embracing electrification. Meanwhile, traditional fuel-powered off-road vehicles like the Haval H9 may find it challenging to make significant improvements.

As of now, spy photos of the all-new Haval H9 have revealed to the public, but there’s been no official announcement regarding its transition to new energy sources. In the best guess, new H9 will still be a fuel-power vehicle. Considering Great Wall’s sensitivity to industry trends, the decision to introduce the next-generation gasoline-powered H9 may link to overseas markets. According to social media sources, the “Russian version” of the all-new Haval H9 is going to start production at Great Wall’s Russian factory in May 2024, with sales in Eastern European regions. This strategy may be why Great Wall decided to release a new gasoline-powered H9.

Conclusion

In 2023, some European countries saw a decline in electric vehicle sales, and a few even reconsidered their previous “carbon neutrality” goals. But Southeast Asia, Latin America, Russia, and other automotive hubs still predominantly favor gasoline vehicles. And OEM makers there continue production of ideal off-road vehicles. In other words, the all-new Haval H9’s strategy might be to “bloom at home while being fragrant abroad.” China is currently the world’s largest automobile exporter. Specifically to the Haval H9, it has survived the fierce competition in the domestic market, and will perform well in overseas markets without doubt.

As for the domestic market, it may be challenging for the Haval H9 to achieve significant improvements. The Tank brand is rapidly transitioning to new energy sources, and consumers are becoming less inclined toward traditional gasoline-powered off-road vehicles. In this scenario, the Haval H9 may find itself in a situation where each new generation is more like a collector’s edition. It is a worthy decision for Haval H9 fans to wait for official release. You might have the opportunity to own the ultimate collector’s edition of this iconic off-road SUV.

Outbound Links:

1. Tough new GWM Haval H9 revealed – Carsales.com
2. 2024 GWM Haval H9 revealed – whichcar.com
3. Haval H9 Hot Sales in Crisscross Auto