Great Wall range lacks safety

A pair of Great Wall Utes are the spearhead of what is predicted to be a growing tide of Chinese-made vehicles heading into the Australian market.

However, neither of the Great Wall models have electronic stability control. The base model SA220 also goes without airbags or anti-lock brakes.

When the Indian-built Mahindra Pik-Up gets its suite of airbags and anti-lock brakes in July and the Toyota LandCruiser Troopie follows suit in August (if industry rumours are correct) it will leave the SA220 as the only car available for sale in Australia without a single airbag.

Neither of the Chinese models has been crashed tested for an ANCAP safety rating. A Great Wall Motors spokesman yesterday said the car had been crash-tested in China. However, he said: "We are assured that the company's own crash testing is to the same standard as ANCAP."

The company will offer the V240 in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, while the SA220 will be a 4x2 proposition only, but the brand's Australian importer, Ateco Automotive, claims both vehicles offer value for money workhorses for Australian buyers.

A network of 45 dealers will back the vehicles with a three-year 100,000km warranty and sell the V240 4x2 for $23,990, with the 4x4 variant an extra $3000; the SA220 will retail for $19,990. The features list includes power windows, alloy wheels, leather trimmed seats and air conditioning.

Ateco Automotive managing director Ric Hull says Great Wall is one of China's leading car makers. "It has been consistently at the top of its domestic car market with its Ute and SUV models."

Hull says every mainstream car and component manufacturer is represented in China and the car industry there has come a long way in a very short time. "From day one we have been thoroughly impressed with Great Wall. World-class production facilities are becoming commonplace in China and there is no doubt that Great Wall has set a production benchmark.

Hull says the company's culture is impressive - with a motto of "improving little by little every day ... We targeted Great Wall for our Chinese plans because they are highly disciplined, organised and well-led," he says.