Haval is a Chinese brand owned by Great Wall Motor (GWM). Haval deals in car manufacturing and specifically, SUVs. It is globally famous for making affordable, well-equipped, and stylish SUVs. Some of the popular Haval brands across the world are H6, H2, Jolion, F7, etc.
Haval brand officially introduced itself to the indian public at the Auto Expo 2020 held in Greater Noida, near Delhi. The event marked GWM’s formal entry and the debut of the premium SUV brand Haval in India. GWM showcased a range of Haval SUVs (H6, H4, H9) alongside other EVs.
The third generation H6 was globally debuted in 2020 and has performed impressively in many of the countries where it is launched. Around 4 million units sold globally, H6 has become one of the world’s most successful crossover SUVs. Its consistent performance makes H6 a major milestone. Havel H6 is considered to be one of the safest vehicles since it has received a five star rating from ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program).
H6 is expected to be launched in India by mid-2025. With an expected showroom price of ₹15L- ₹20L, H6 enters the competitive SUV market. It aims to challenge well-known and strong incumbents with its tech features, safety rating, and modern design.
As per sources, it is expected that H6 will be powered by two turbocharged petrol options:
- 1.5-litre T-GDI (~163PS/280Nm)
- 2.0-litre T-GDI (~190PS/340Nm)
The car is loaded with tech features. It has a 9 inch touchscreen with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. The vehicle also features 19-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, and LED headlights. Features like a 360-degree camera, ESC(Electronic Stability Control). The car also provides 6 airbags to make the H6 safer and easier to drive. GWM also claims that H6 is the first to feature the following three technologies together in one variant that are:
- FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air)
- 5G connectivity
- Automated reversing assist
Haval has a good reputation across the globe but while entering into the market as a new manufacturer, it might face a few challenges. Since the brand is new to Indian buyers, there may be a lack of brand trust.
Indian buyers tend to prefer trusted and well-known brands while making a big purchase for their consistent performance and widespread service networks. This will make it difficult for a newcomer like GWM to immediately gain a buyer’s trust. Havel’s will need to build trust and credibility through brand awareness.
Another subsequent challenge will be after-sales service. The buyers must feel certain about access to service centres and overall maintenance support. A transparent and affordable service network is required to reassure buyers.
Indian consumers are price-conscious; therefore, pricing strategies will also play a huge role in Havel’s success. While H6 offers premium features, it must still be priced competitively to stand strong in such a price-sensitive market.
Indian SUV market is dynamic and fast growing, with demand for feature loaded and rugged looking vehicles launched in the market at all price segments. Over the past few years, Indian buyers have clearly preferred SUVs over sedans or hatchbacks.
To capture the increasing demand and preference of consumers, almost every car manufacturer has entered into SUV market. This tough market situation makes India one of the challenging markets for any new SUV brand.
For Havel to achieve a huge success in the Indian automotive industry, it must replicate its global performance in India. It can provide value to buyers who seek premium quality and a globally tested SUV experience at a competitive price. If GWM provides a perfect strategy of pricing, service, and localisation, the H6 could be a game changer in the Indian market.