KEY POINTS:
The first Chinese car brand to be sold in New Zealand will hit showrooms in October, when Ateco Automotive, the Australasian distributor of brands such as Alfa Romeo and Maserati, launches Great Wall Motor (GWM).
Ateco has been negotiating with GWM for almost three years. The brand will make its debut with a double-cab ute, which will retail for less than $20,000 in Australia and New Zealand.
"The GWM double cab ute will be just the start," says Ric Hull, Ateco's managing director.
"It will be followed soon after with a single-cab ute, a compact SUV and an entry-level light car.
"Pricing will be comparable to similar Korean models with a significantly higher specification.
"We targeted GWM for our Chinese plans because they are highly disciplined, organised and well-led."
To prepare for the launch of its Chinese brands, Ateco has made some key management changes.
David Stone - who was instrumental in setting up Hyundai, Daewoo and Kia networks in Australia - will oversee the appointment of dealers to distribute Ateco's new Chinese brands, with a target of 50 dealers across Australia for the launch of GWM in October.
In New Zealand, the GWM distribution business will be run from Ateco's headquarters in Mt Wellington, Auckland, with five or six dealers at launch.
The Kiwi product range will be the same as Australia.
