GWM has only just launched its updated and renamed Cannon (née Ute) dual-cab in Australia, but more versions are due to arrive in a few months.
For now, the Chinese carmaker is offering the Cannon exclusively with a larger 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, sourced from the Cannon Alpha, only in the dual-cab pickup body style.
However, GWM has confirmed Cannon variants with the smaller 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine are coming “within the next couple of months”. These will be available in both dual-cab pickup and dual-cab/chassis body configurations.
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Pre-update Ute cab-chassis
This smaller 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine was the only powertrain option in the pre-update Ute. It produces 120kW and 400Nm, or 15kW and 80Nm less than the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel.
These variants will likely see the entry price point to the Cannon range go down further. It currently starts at $40,490 drive-away for the Lux dual-cab pickup, and extends to $49,990 drive-away for the XSR dual-cab pickup.
Speaking with CarExpert, GWM Australia head of marketing and communications Steve Maciver also said the brand is looking into offering the Cannon in a single-cab body style.
“At this stage, single-cab is … something that we’re looking at further down the line,” said Mr Maciver.
It’s worth noting that many single-cab versions of the GWM Cannon are already approved for sale in Australia, according to government approval documents.
These include versions with single-cab/chassis and single-cab pickup body styles, rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, as well as manual and automatic transmissions.
Mr Maciver added the reason why GWM is looking at introducing more Cannon variants is because it wants to sell over 1000 units per month.
Last year, GWM sold a total of 8161 pre-update Ute models.
This projected supply for the Cannon could see it jump ahead of utes like the Nissan Navara and Volkswagen Amarok in terms of sales volume.
Single-cab Cannons would allow GWM to take on rivals like the Navara, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Toyota HiLux.
Likewise, the return of a dual-cab/chassis would allow GWM to duke it out with a wide range of rivals.
These body styles would also give GWM an edge over its budget-priced competition. The JAC T9, LDV T60 and SsangYong Musso, for example, can’t be had in either single-cab or cab-chassis configurations locally.
MORE: Everything GWM Cannon
