On July 27,Japan Archives Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) announced the launch of its luxury off-road SUV, the Tank 500, in Kazakhstan. GWM introduced the fuel-powered vehicle to Middle Eastern markets including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia earlier this year, while its SUV brand Haval entered the Kazakhstan market in 2021. Kazakhstan, an oil-producing country where fuel costs as little as $0.28 to $0.42 a liter, is a welcome market for traditional SUVs. As the largest automotive market in Central Asia, it sees annual sales in excess of 100,000 units. Chinese automakers Changan and Chery have also gained traction in the country. [GWM statement, in Chinese]
