Gigantic Chinese Sports Utility Vehicle, the Tank 500, Makes a Grand Entrance
The Chinese automotive giant, Great Wall Motors (GWM), has unveiled its latest offering - the Tank 500, a full-size luxury SUV that promises to blend off-road prowess with high-end luxury. The Tank 500, a standalone brand spun off from GWM's WEY, is set to make its mark in the competitive global automotive market.
The Tank 500 comes in two models: a seven-seat Tank 500 Sport and a five-seat Tank 500 Luxury. Both models share a striking resemblance to the Toyota Land Cruiser overall and the Dodge RAM for the front. The SUV is designed with a rear view camera 'mirror' and features a key described as "seriously cool."
Under the hood, the Tank 500 is powered by a Miller cycle 3.0 V6 turbocharged engine, delivering an impressive output of 354 hp and 500 Nm. The engine is mated to a 9-speed automated manual with flappy pedals. The vehicle boasts standard central and rear differential locks, ensuring optimal performance on rugged terrains.
The interior of the Tank 500 is a testament to luxury, featuring high-end materials, leather seats, wood trim, and a Tank-branded analog clock. The second row of the Tank 500 Sport offers three seats, with the middle seat appearing rather narrow but offering ample legroom. The main touch screen is a 14.6-inch screen that stands free atop the center stack.
The Tank 500's market forecast from 2021 and beyond shows a gradual growth trajectory, but challenges lie ahead given the increasing trend of electric vehicles (EVs). GWM is aggressively pushing new energy vehicles (NEVs), including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrids. By 2025, GWM aims for 80% of its global sales to be NEVs, supported by its dedicated brands Euler (focused on EVs) and Salon (high-end NEVs).
In markets like Thailand, the Tank 500 is launched primarily as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and assembled locally, signaling GWM’s commitment to electrification in response to market trends. The Tank 500's introduction of hybrid variants aligns with the company’s broader strategy to make its large SUVs more eco-friendly while maintaining off-road performance, with future powertrains possibly including more electrified options.
Despite improvements in build quality and a solid feature set, the Tank 500 faces competition in established markets with premium, reliable SUV options. In some markets like Australia, its sales are relatively low compared to long-established competitors, raising questions about long-term commercial success. The demand for pure electric SUVs is rising globally, so the Tank 500’s reliance on hybrids rather than a fully electric powertrain might limit its appeal in markets with strong EV adoption incentives and regulations.
Looking ahead, the Tank 500 is likely to see steady growth supported by hybrid technology adoption and expansion into international markets. However, full electrification of the Tank lineup and broader adoption of BEVs will be crucial to sustain market competitiveness as global trends shift more strongly toward zero-emission vehicles.
The Tank 500 offers 2H, 4H, and 4L modes, and the front and rear axle power can be distributed between 0-100%. The vehicle also features a 12.3 LCD instrument panel that can be customized to display various information. The Tank 500 will be joined by the Tank 300, Tank 400, and Tank 800 in the market by 2022.
In summary, the Tank 500's market forecast from 2021 onward is cautiously optimistic with steady sales growth aided by hybrid technology adoption and expansion into international markets. However, the increasing dominance of fully electric vehicles globally will pressure GWM to accelerate electrification within the Tank lineup to maintain relevance and growth in the luxury SUV segment.
GWM is investing in new energy vehicles (NEVs) to compete with the growing trend of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in the luxury SUV segment, with a goal of having 80% of its global sales be NEVs by 2025. In the transportation industry, the Tank 500's reliance on hybrid powertrains, even as demand for pure electric SUVs rises, may limit its appeal in markets with strong EV adoption incentives and regulations.
