Great Wall adds to Steed range
Great Wall has continued its re-establishment in the Australian light-commercial market by bringing a pair of single-cab Steed variants Down Under to sell alongside its existing dual-cab versions.
Pricing starts from $18,990 driveaway for ABN holders for the 4x2 version, while non-business owners will fork out $17,990 plus on-road costs.
The 4x4 version is priced at $20,990 driveaway and $19,990 plus on-roads respectively for ABN holders and private buyers.
Great Wall has priced the Steed single-cab competitively, and will jostle for sales with the likes of the entry-level Foton Tunland at $22,490, Tata Xenon, $19,990, and Mahindra Pik-up, $19,990, all of which are driveaway.
For reference, the Steed dual-cab range starts at $24,990 driveaway for the 4x2 petrol, while diesel-only 4x4 examples kick-off from $26,990.
Both single-cab drivelines will be motivated by the same 2.0-litre turbodiesel unit underpinning the 4x4 dualcab variants, which produce 110kw of power at 4000rpm and 310Nm of torque from 1800-2800rpm matched exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox.
A locally manufactured aluminium tray measuring 2400mm long and 1777mm wide comes as standard, while the leaf-sprung rear end allows for a 1198kg payload.
Braked towing capacity is rated at 1700kg.
The Steed boasts disc brakes front and rear, while sitting on 16-inch alloy wheels shod in 235-70 rubber.
Interior features include cloth fabric seats, air-conditioning and auto-dimming rearview mirror, while standard safety kit comprises two airbags, ABS brakes, ESP stability control, hill hold control and tyre pressure monitor.
Great Wall offers a three year100,000km warranty for the Steed to go with three years of roadside assist.
Great Wall Motors Australia chief marketing officer Tim Smith said the single-cab version has been requested by dealers and customers alike.
“Since we re-launched the Steed nameplate in 2016, we have received strong demand from dealers and customers for the return of the single cab version,” he said.
“With a mix of toughness, reliability and value for money, the single cab has always been a popular member of the Great Wall family.
“At its peak in 2012, the single cab version accounted for 55 percent of all Great Wall utility sales.”
In its first full year of sales since relaunching in Australia with a factorybacked operation, Great Wall sold 404 units of the Steed, with 214 opting for the two-wheel-drive version and the other 190 the 4x4.
Only nine Steeds found homes in the first month of 2018, representing a 57.1 percent drop over January 2017.
When the 4x2 dual-cab variant was crash tested by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, ANCAP, in September 2016, the Chinese ute only mustered a two-star rating.