Great Wall Becomes First Chinese Automaker in UK

The first Chinese automaker has officially entered the UK market. Great Wall will be selling the Steed in the UK starting in 2012. 

Great Wall claims that the Steed will be the cheapest truck to run and own in the UK. It comes with a 2.0l, turbocharged diesel engine with four-wheel drive that gets 34mpg combined and produces 220g/km of CO2. The truck includes a low range gearbox for crawling off-road. Great Wall also says that the vehicle has the lowest insurance rates for a truck in the UK at 7A. They come with a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty.

The Steed is a four-door, four passenger pickup with styling similar to the Toyota Hilux. The bed of the truck measures 1.38m long and 1.46m wide and can carry a maximum load of 1,050kg. Maximum towing capacity is 2000kg. 

Standard equipment includes 16in wheels, central locking, an alarm, Bluetooth, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, heated front seats and leather interior. The higher spec Steed SE gets a body-colored hard top bed cover, body-colored spoiler, bed liner, black roof rails, extra chrome trim and rear parking sensors

The truck will be priced at £13,998 for the standard Steed S and £15,998 for the Steed SE. Great Wall has set up 40 dealers throughout the UK for sales and service. The car will first be shown at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham from April 24-26 and will go on sale soon after. 

Great Wall is China's largest SUV producer and builds 800,000 cars a year. It exports trucks to 120 countries.