GWM showcases NEV models at Paris auto show

China's largest SUV maker Great Wall Motors unveiled on Monday five NEV models under its two marques at the ongoing Paris auto show.

Two of the five models, the Wey Coffee 01, a plug-in hybrid, and the electric Ora Funky Cat, were launched at the biennial event.

Meng Xiangjun, head of GWM's European operations, said the Paris auto show is a perfect place to showcase its latest products as Europe is one of its most important markets in its go-global strategy.

Both the Wey Coffee 01 and the Ora Funky Cat won the five-star rating in Europe's new car quality assessment program. The Wey Coffee 01 is priced to rival models from local premium carmakers.

The models will be delivered in the fourth quarter this year. They will be soon followed by other models from the carmaker.

Earlier this year, Great Wall Motors inked a strategic partnership with Emil Frey, the largest car dealer group in Europe, to help distribute vehicles, beginning in Germany.

Wolfgang Kopplin, a member of Emil Frey Group's management team, told reporters that he was impressed by the technical maturity and quality of GWM's products when the two companies first discussed the possibility of cooperation in early 2020.

The carmaker said it is accelerating its go-global strategy, with electrification as one of its pillars.

In September, Great Wall Motors, the country's largest SUV and pickup maker, sold over 18,000 vehicles overseas, accounting for one-fifth of its total sales in the month. So far this year, it sold 112,000 units overseas, up 14 percent year-on-year.