Shanghai (ZXZC)- Great Wall Motor Company Limited (Great Wall Motor), the China's largest SUV and pickup manufacturer, had a number of big moves last year, especially in new energy area. The reporter sorts out some important stories of Great Wall Motor in 2017 as below.

Great Wall Motor 2017 annual sales top 1.07 million units 

Great Wall Motor sold 1,070,161 vehicles in 2017, slightly shrinking by 0.4% from a year earlier, which completed 85.6% of its 2017 initial annual sales target of 1,250,000 units. 851,855 units of Haval SUV were sold throughout 2017. Besides, WEY's December sales reached 21,349 units, increasing 4.3% from the previous month. The automaker has set a 2018 annual sales target of 1,160,000 units with an 8% year-on-year growth rate based on its 2017 performance.

100 4S shops: WEY gives impressive performance in 2017

In December last year, WEY opened another 40 4S shops in China. Just in the previous month, 20 4S shops were established in 6 provinces and cities around China. By the end of 2017, total number of WEY's 4S shops in China had already exceeded 100. According to official reports, WEY plans to increase its 4S shops to 300 in this country by the end of 2018.

Great Wall Motor to build base in Chongqing

On December 25, Great Wall Motor signed an agreement with Chongqing municipal government and Yongchuan district government to open a new manufacturing base in Yongchuan District of Chongqing City. Interestingly, Chongqing is the birthplace of Changan Automobile Group (Changan Auto) and also has Changan Auto's main production base. Reportedly, once the second phase of project in Xushui base starts operation, the total annual production capacity of all three manufacturing bases will reach 1.25 million units.

Great Wall Motor Haval to open R&D center near Detroit

In December 2017, American Haval Motor Technology LLC plans to spend $3.51 million building a R&D center in the Farmington Hills of Detroit suburb. Haval, the brand of Chinese SUV and pickup manufacturer Great Wall Motor plans to hire 150 employees over the next five years to staff the facility. Operation at the R&D center in U.S. will focus on meeting U.S. environmental and safety rules. In the future, it will develop autonomous driving technologies.

WEY launches two electric SUV models

Many new models including concept model XEV and P8 under Great Wall Motor high-end brand WEY made debut on Frankfurt Auto show on September 12th. Besides, WEY pure electric coupe SUV XEV and middle-size PHEV SUV P8 with a cruise mileage of 660km made a domestic debut at Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition on November 17th. The launch of these two EV models fulfills WEY's vacancy in NEV area and meanwhile enriches the brand's product mix. 

Great Wall Motor ends transmission supply cooperation with Hyundai Powertech

Haval, the main sales driver for Great Wall Motor, equipped many models with automatic transmissions supplied by Korean Hyundai Powertech and German Getrag. But a local media got information from the Chinese automaker that as its self-developed 7-speed dual-clutch transmission had been fitted into WEY VV7 and will be used in all models covering Haval H2 and H7, Great Wall Motor would stop the cooperation with Hyundai Powertech.

Great Wall Motor takes A$ 28 million stake in Pilbara Minerals

In October 2017, Great Wall Motor revealed that it will take a 3.5% stake in Australian lithium provider Pilbara Minerals Ltd, helping shore up supply of a key mineral for electric vehicles. Great Wall Motor said that the company will take the equity interest in Pilbara for around A$28 million ($22 million) via a wholly-owned subsidiary Billion Sunny Development Ltd.

Great Wall Motor first pure electric model goes on sales

In May 2017, Great Wall Motor's first pure electric sedan C30EV officially went on sales. With 3 models in total, C30EV is sold at price of RMB139,800 to RMB149,800. The consumers who buy C30EV will enjoy the subsidiaries from the state and the local government. Excluding all subsidiaries, customers need pay only RMB 698,000 to RMB 798,000 for the new vehicle. Equipped with fast charger and slow charger, it only takes 40 minutes for 80% battery at room temperature with a combined battery range of 200km.

Great Wall Motor to invest RMB 30 billion in NEV and intelligent driving area

On February 20, Great Wall Motor announced that its Haval brand aims to achieve an annual sales goal of 2 million vehicles in 2020 and to become the largest professional SUV brand in world. What's more, the automaker plans to invest RMB 3 billion in NEV and intelligent driving area. The company's planning in vehicle electrification and intellectualization is the key to accomplish the sales target.