Shanghai (ZXZC)- China-based automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) announced that its full-year sales in 2018 edged down 1.6% over the year-ago period to 1,053,039 units, failing to accomplish its 1.16 million-unit yearly sales target.

Aside from the sales performance, ZXZC hereby summarizes GWM's significant events that happened in 2018, helping you review what progresses the automaker made during the past year.

Great Wall Motor, BMW announce possible MINI JV in China

On February 23, Chinese automaker GWM announced that it had signed a letter of intent with BMW Group to set up a possible joint venture for new energy vehicle (NEV) business and technologies.

BMW said in a separate statement that “Next steps will be to agree on the details of a possible joint venture and cooperation agreement and clarify aspects such as the choice of production location and concrete investments”.

Both parties would carry out further discussion on the cooperation mode and decide which models would be jointly produced. In the future, the joint venture will focus on the development, procurement, production and other businesses in NEV segment.

Great Wall Motor's chairman, president fine themselves sum of RMB 5 million for uncompleted 2017 sales target

GWM delivered a total of 1.07 million vehicles in 2017 which was far less than its initial annual sales target of 1.25 million vehicles. Wei Jianjun, chairman of GWM, and Wang Fengying, the company's president, fined themselves by RMB 3 million and 2 million of annual salary respectively as self-punishment for the company failing the 2017 sales goal.

In 2017, GWM's annual sales decreased 0.40% year on year to 1.07 million vehicles and its net profit attributable to shareholders reached RMB 5.035 billion, slumping 52.28% from a year earlier. In terms of the unsatisfied performance in sales last year, the automaker lowered its sales target to 1.16 million units in 2018. 

2018 Haval H7 hits market with price range between RMB 152,000 and RMB 163,000

GWM announced that the 2018 Haval H7 hit the market on Mar. 6 with price range between RMB 152,000 and RMB 163,000. As an upgraded model, the 2018 Haval H7 has all-round upgrades in appearance, safety, intelligent configurations. What's more, it offers two variants equipped with 2.0T engine and mated with 6-speed dual-clutch transmission.

WEY welcomes Cristiano Ronaldo as brand ambassador

Before 2018 FIFA World Cup, WEY announced that Mr. Cristiano Ronaldo, a world-renowned football star, would be its brand ambassador. The signing ceremony was held at Madrid, capital of Spain on May 10. In addition, both parties would conduct deep cooperation to integrate sports and Chinese-styled luxury. 

Great Wall Motor becomes China’s first automaker to join Hydrogen Council

GWM joined as one of the six new steering member of Hydrogen Council on Mar. 13. The rest five members include 3M, Bosch and China Energy. It is noteworthy that GWM is China's first automaker who joined as steering member of Hydrogen Council.

Wei Jianjun, chairman of GWM believed that hydrogen would play a crucial role in energy and transportation fields in both China and all over the world. As a kind of renewable energy carrier as well as a kind of clean fuel for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen can help realize zero-emission transportation. As a steering member of Hydrogen Council, GWM would take the corresponding responsibilities in order to make a contribution to building a global hydrogen society.

All-new Haval H4 hits market with starting price of RMB 106,000

The all-new compact SUV, the H4 hit the market with price range between RMB 106,000 and RMB 116,000. The new model offers a red label version and a blue label version. The red label accentuates stability featuring a big-mouth intake grille, while the blue label version emphasizes sports with a hexagonal intake grille.

The largest difference between the red label version and the blue label version lies in the front end. The red label version adopts a five-spoke big-mouth intake grille with chrome trims and silver fenders decorated at its fog light areas, delivering a strong sense of stability. The blue label version looks more dynamic and sporty with a hexagonal intake grille, a sharp-designed front bumper and two round fog lights mated with honey-combed intake grilles on both sides.

Great Wall Motor Yongchuan production base starts construction

According to local media, GWM's production base in Yongchuan District, Chongqing (hereinafter, the Yongchuan base) officially started construction on March 28.

The Yongchuan base, covering an area of 1200mu (around 800,000 square meters), is the automaker's fourth production base in China. Involving an investment of RMB 8 billion, it mainly manufactures the company's luxury pickups and the SUV Haval H9, etc. Besides, the base was expected to own an annual production capacity of 250,000 vehicles with an annual vehicle production value up to around RMB 25 billion once it is put into operation by the end of 2019. Meanwhile, the base might drive the development of relevant supporting facilities involving an output value of around RMB 25 billion per year.

Baidu, Great Wall Motor cooperate again for autonomous driving

Baidu Inc and GWM signed a strategic memorandum of cooperation on April 9 to extend collaboration in four major areas, intelligent-connected vehicle (ICV), autonomous driving, travelling sharing and big data. Both parties would make use of their advantageous resources to jointly promote relevant technical R&D and applications in ICV and autonomous driving fields.

According to the memorandum, GWM would build an ICV demonstration zone in Xushui District, Baoding (the city where GWM headquarters in). The Internet company would help the automaker and Baoding government formulate laws and regulations on public road tests for autonomous vehicles.

Great Wall Motor names former VP of Geely to take charge of NEV and pickup divisions

Ning Shuyong, former general executive vice president of market and communication of Qoros, had reportedly joined GWM to act the role of the group's vice president and would report directly to Wang Fengying, president of GWM.

In 2010, Li Shufu named Ning Shuyong as assistant to president, vice president of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group as well as the spokesman of Volvo M&A project. After Geely's acquisition of Volvo, Ning Shuyong worked as general vice president of Volvo Cars China, and helped improve Volvo's sales from 20,000 units to 80,000 units during his seven-year service in Volvo.

BMW, Great Wall Motor sign contract on JV operation

In the presence of China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, BMW (Netherland) Holding Ltd. (BMW) signed a contract on joint venture (JV) operation with GWM on July 10.

As the contract regulated, GWM and BMW would set up a new 50-50 JV, which would be named Spotlight Automotive Ltd., with a registered capital of RMB 1.7 billion. To be sited in Zhang Jiagang, Jiangsu Province, the new JV would enjoy a total investment of RMB 5.1 billion. The JV planned to build up a world-leading vehicle-manufacturing plant which would have an annual production capacity of 160,000 units.

BAIC Group, Great Wall Motor forge partnership, said to share auto parts resources

BAIC Group and GWM inked a strategic cooperation agreement on August 7.

The two automakers were going to forge an in-depth partnership in various areas like sharing auto parts resource, according to a source familiar with the event.

Great Wall Motor's complete vehicle, R&D center roll into Rizhao, Shandong Province

GWM signed an agreement with Rizhao Municipal Government, Shandong Province on Aug. 16, saying that GWM would build a complete vehicle manufacturing and R&D base in Rizhao.

According to the agreement, covering four techniques, GWM's complete vehicle manufacturing and R&D base would mainly manufacture models under GWM's high-end brand, WEY.

At the same time, GWM would also set up a R&D center at Shanhaitian tourist resort area. The project would be constructed in sync with the manufacturing base.

Great Wall Motor officially launches ORA brand, new energy strategy

GWM officially launched its all-new NEV brand ORA, together with its new energy strategy in Baoding, Hebei Province on Aug. 20. Ning Shuyong, vice president of GWM said that ORA would be a 100% forward-engineered pure electric vehicle brand under GWM.

In the meantime, GWM also announced its product plan over next few years. By 2025, GWM New Energy will launch 12 new models under various brands like ORA, Spotlight and WEY. The 12 new models consists of three BEV models from ME platform, one crossover BEV model and four mid-to-large PHEV models, two compact BEV models co-manufactured with BMW, one large BEV model and one large FECV model.

Great Wall Motor releases OLA Sharing to tap into sharing market

In order to transform from a traditional auto manufacturer to a mobility service provider, GWM launched its mobility service brand called "OLA Sharing" on August 20.

OLA Sharing is loaded with new energy products to establish a diversified mobility platform, by virtue of cutting-edge technologies, such as internet, big data and artificial intelligence (AI). Launching OLA Sharing is a significant step for GWM to transform from a traditional carmaker into a service provider.

WEY joins Apollo open vehicle certification platform

On August 27, GWM and Baidu announced their newly-built partnership at the launching ceremony of the WEY VV6. Based on Baidu's Apollo autonomous driving platform, both parties would deepen their cooperation in high-definition map (HD map) and autonomous vehicle.

Meanwhile, GWM designated the Internet giant as WEY's official partner focusing on offering HD map and self-positioning technologies, which made Baidu become China's first map provider that substantially realizes the commercial volume production of L3 autonomous driving HD map.

Great Wall Motor appoints new vice president, sales manager of WEY brand

It is reported that Liu Yan, former senior executive of FAW-VW Audi and Volvo, was appointed vice president and general manager of sales for WEY brand on Sept. 3. She would take charge of the businesses of market, sales, channel, and aftersales service for WEY brand.

As a veteran in auto industry with almost 20-year experience in luxury automakers, Liu Yan served as director of market department and sales department of FAW-VW Audi, and also vice general manager of sales division of FAW-VW Audi During 1999 and 2012,. During 2012 and 2016, Liu Yan acted as executive vice president and COO of Volvo Cars (China) Sales Company.

Haval F5 hits market with prices ranging from RMB 100,000 to RMB 128,000

The Haval F5, the first model of the “F” Series under GWM's Haval brand, officially hit the market on September 26 with prices ranging from RMB 100,000 to RMB128,000.

Positioned as a compact SUV model, the Haval F5 adopts an all-new design in its exterior. At the front face, a massive dot-matrix intake grille matches with sleek LED headlights and well-designed fog lights. Besides, the curvaceous rear design creates rather sporty visual effect. 

Great Wall Motor unveils Wingle 7, to roll out 5 more pickup models over next 3 years

The Wingle 7, the new pickup model developed by GWM, made its debut on September 28.

At the launching ceremony, the automaker announced that its pickup unit would be operated as an independent brand and more than 5 new pickup models would be rolled out over the next three years.

WEY CEO leaves Great Wall Motor for family reason

GWM confirmed on October 29 that Jens Steingraeber, CEO of WEY brand, had resigned from the company for taking care of his ailing family member and would no longer hold any position in GWM.

Great Wall Motor, Baidu upgrade cooperation on IoV technology

GWM and Baidu signed another strategic cooperation agreement on October 26 focusing on developing Internet of Vehicles (IoV) services in order to accelerate the application of IoV technologies in China, according to local media.

The newly-signed agreement would make the cooperation between two companies comprehensively upgraded in both technology research and application. GWM would work on the in-vehicle all-around multimode interactive AI experience for users by utilizing Baidu's capabilities of the IoV OS (operating system), vehicle-mounted visual AI technologies and car-borne intelligent voice technologies.

Haval F7 hits market with prices ranging from RMB109,000 to 149,000

The Haval F7 compact SUV officially went on sale on November 6 and is expected to be produced in Russia and then exported to Europe, South America and the Middle East. Prices for 6 variants range between RMB109,000 and RMB149,000.

The SUV offers two variants based on engine power outputs. The one is a 2.0L turbocharged engine that can generate a maximum power of 145kW and peak torque of 345 N·m, mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission and four-wheel drive system. The other is a 1.5L turbocharged engine, good for 124kW and 285 N·m.

Great Wall Motor, JD.com team up on smart home, delivery-to-vehicle

GWM and Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com announced a partnership on December 4, which focuses on two major businesses—the smart home and delivery-to-vehicle, according to the automaker's official WeChat account.

The cooperation would allow the smart home application to be used in GWM-owned WEY branded vehicles first, and be applied in Haval and ORA models afterwards.

Great Wall Motor to add 100,000-unit annual capacity for producing ORA, Haval F Series models

GWM plans to build a new complete vehicle plant in Pinghu, a city in northern Zhejiang, with RMB2 billion to be invested, according to an official document issued by Zhejiang Provincial Development and Reform Commission on December 10.

The new plant, with a planned annual capacity of 100,000 vehicles, is designed to produce the ORA and the Haval F Series models.