Photo: GWM Asia-Pacific Summit - 2025, Liu Bao, General Manager of the GWM Technology Center

The summit brought together over 100 participants, including representatives from Asian and CIS countries, such as China, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. At the event, GWM presented its strategic development directions for the region, new models, and innovative technologies that will form the basis for the brand's further international expansion. Kazakhstan, as the summit speakers emphasized, plays a special role in this strategy—not only as a key market but also as a promising regional center for the production and testing of GWM's engineering technologies.

Parker Shi, President of GWM International, noted that the choice of Almaty for the first Asia-Pacific summit was not accidental. Today, Kazakhstan accounts for over 50% of the company's total sales in the region, while it is only five years since the brand has entered the Kazakhstani market. During this time, GWM, in partnership with the Kazakhstani company Astana Motors, has strengthened its position in the country: the Kazakhstani distributor has established a network of 50 Haval and TANK dealerships in 20 cities across Kazakhstan, including the capital Astana, the megacities of Almaty and Shymkent, and regional centers, selling over 30,000 vehicles.

"Kazakhstan is our important strategic partner," noted Mr. Shi. "We don't just sell cars here; we invest in developing the ecosystem: we establish production, train technical personnel, create jobs, and share technologies."

Photo: GWM Asia-Pacific Summit – 2025, Parker Shi, President of GWM International

"GWM became the first representative of the Chinese auto industry in Astana Motors' portfolio. In 2021, we signed a distribution agreement, and today, GWM is already among the top five most popular car brands in Kazakhstan. All this has allowed us to start production of Haval vehicles at the Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan plant in September 2025, and from mid-November, we plan to begin producing a test batch of TANK vehicles," stated Beknur Nessipbayev, CEO of Astana Motors.

Astana Motors invested over 202 billion tenge to construct the Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan plant and equip it with high-tech machinery. In addition, in the summer, GWM and Astana Motors agreed to localize the production of GWM pickups at the Almaty plant for commercial, specialized, and passenger vehicles.

"Together with our partner Astana Motors, we launched vehicle production in Kazakhstan this year. This marks a shift from a model of 'selling cars in Kazakhstan' to a model of 'producing cars in Kazakhstan and exporting them to other countries'," stated Mr. Shi. Thus, in the foreseeable future, Kazakhstan will become not only a GWM vehicle production center for the domestic market but also an export base for deliveries to countries in Central Asia.

Photo: Haval vehicle production at the Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan plant

According to Parker Shi, GWM's goal is to make Kazakhstan not just a sales center, but a regional production and technology hub. In the next five to ten years, the company intends to build a chain here that integrates production, engineering solutions, and research programs.

Investment in Innovation

The foundation of GWM's strategy is technological leadership. For three consecutive years, GWM's R&D investments have exceeded 10 billion yuan annually. More than 25,000 of the company's engineers are working on creating proprietary innovative developments and platforms, and the brand operates Asia's largest safety lab, as well as aerodynamic and climatic test sites.

"Technology is the main driving force. Only continuous investment in our own innovative developments allows us to ensure sustainable growth and competitiveness," emphasized Parker Shi.

One such key innovative development was the Hi4 hybrid all-wheel-drive system, presented during the summit. Richard Zhu, Chief Hybrid Systems Engineer, spoke in detail about the development of Hi4 and its advantages. This technology was created specifically for the conditions of Central Asia, with its diverse climate, terrain, and operating conditions. Hi4 is an all-wheel-drive system with two electric motors (front and rear) and intelligent energy distribution. It analyzes road conditions in real-time and automatically selects one of nine driving modes.

"Our goal is for the car to adapt to the road on its own and never let the driver down," noted Zhu. "We tested the system in extreme winter and summer conditions, on sand, and on mountain passes. The results were excellent everywhere."

The system delivers a total power of 268 kW (350 hp) and 760 N·m of torque, accelerating the car to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. At the same time, fuel consumption is 5.3 liters per 100 km according to the NEDC cycle. In heavy city traffic, the car drives in electric mode only, and on the highway, it automatically switches to hybrid mode. For Kazakhstani drivers, this means economical operation while maintaining power and reliability—something especially valuable on local roads.

Richard Zhu pointed out that Hi4 is not just a technological novelty, but a real solution for local conditions: "Whether it's a trip around Almaty, a weekend in the mountains, or winter roads in the north—this system can handle any task."

New Models for Kazakhstan

The new model lineup was presented by Liu Bao, General Manager of the GWM Technology Center. In the first quarter of next year, the Haval V7 will appear on the Kazakhstan market—a multifunctional SUV designed for both city driving and off-road conditions. The vehicle will be available with gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Since its launch in the Chinese market in 2023, the Haval V7 has consistently maintained its leadership in the hybrid boxy SUV segment.

Photo: GWM Asia-Pacific Summit - 2025, Haval V7 body-on-frame SUV

This year, the model proved its reliability in real life—it participated in the legendary China Ring Taka rally in a complete stock configuration and became the only body-on-frame SUV to successfully finish the race in the T2 category. The launch of the Haval V7 in the Asia-Pacific markets is expected to be one of the most anticipated and high-profile automotive events of the year.

In the second half of 2026, two more new models will enter our market: the six-seater WEY 07 intelligent premium SUV based on Hi4 technology, and the Haval B07—a 4.8-meter-long urban SUV with a spacious interior and an extended wheelbase.

Photo: GWM Asia-Pacific Summit - 2025, WEY 07 SUV and WEY 80 minivan

In addition, the company is preparing a facelift for the popular H6 and Tank 500 models, which will further strengthen GWM's position in key market segments.

Becoming an Organic Part of Kazakhstan

"We don't just bring a finished product; we integrate it into the local context," emphasized Liu Bao. "Our goal is to create the feeling that our cars were originally designed for Kazakhstanis."

Therefore, all new vehicles undergo adaptation not only to the region's conditions—from high temperatures to severe frosts and high humidity—but are also adapted to the local mentality, which means that GWM cars will soon "learn" the Kazakh language.

"Introducing the Kazakh language is a complex but necessary task, and we are actively working on its implementation," noted Parker Shi.

In addition, GWM in Kazakhstan intends to develop its brand community. Flagship GWM Brand Experience Spaces will appear in Almaty and Astana. They will become not just showrooms, but points of interaction with users. Planned initiatives to help bring the brand closer to Kazakhstanis also include the Tank Off-Road Academy, Haval Family Day, and the Service Elite Training Center.

"We are building a brand based on trust and mutual respect," said Parker Shi. "It is important for us that Kazakhstani customers feel part of the great GWM story."

The GWM Asia-Pacific Summit – 2025, held in Almaty, was not only a presentation of new models but also a statement of intent. Kazakhstan has solidified its status as a key partner for Great Wall Motor in Central Asia. "We are here for the long haul," summarized Parker Shi. "Kazakhstan is the place where the future of GWM is being born."