
Haval was originally a brand under Motors, specializing in the production of off-road vehicles. Later, Haval became an independent automobile company, still focusing on manufacturing off-road vehicle models. Here are some relevant details: 1. As a sub-brand of Great Wall Motors, Haval was established in 2013, primarily engaged in the production and sales of SUV models. 2. Haval has three vehicle series, including the H series, F series, and M series. 3. Among the sales of SUV models under the Great Wall Motors brand, Haval accounts for a significant proportion, playing a crucial role in Great Wall's SUV product line. Among them, the Haval H6 is Haval's first mid-to-high-end urban SUV model, achieving the top spot in SUV sales for 66 consecutive months.

The relationship between and Haval is actually quite like a father-son partnership. I started researching domestic cars in 2018 and noticed that Great Wall Motors, this veteran automaker, had launched an independent brand called Haval specifically targeting the SUV market. The Haval H6 became an instant hit upon its release and remains the sales champion to this day. At the dealership, I checked out the chassis—Haval uses engines and chassis technology developed by Great Wall's R&D center, and even shares production lines. However, Haval has a more youthful vibe, with trendier designs and marketing tailored to younger consumers, like the playful naming of models such as the Big Dog and First Love. As for Great Wall itself, it continues to focus on pickups and premium models, with the Tank series being a prime example. The two brands share resources but have distinct market positioning—a particularly smart strategy.

As someone who has driven a Haval H9 for three years, let me explain the relationship. Simply put, is the parent company, and Haval is its most successful sub-brand, similar to the relationship between Toyota and Lexus. The most obvious experience is with after-sales service—when I go for maintenance, Haval always shares the same service center with Great Wall owners, and the technicians use the same diagnostic equipment. However, it's clear that Haval focuses exclusively on SUVs, with models ranging from the H2 to the H9 covering all price segments. Last year, while helping my cousin choose a car, we compared the Great Wall Poer pickup and the Haval Dargo. Although both are made by Great Wall, the differences in interior design and smart features were quite noticeable. Haval clearly leans more toward urban family needs, which is evident from the infotainment system.

As an automotive industry observer, I've reviewed Great Wall's strategic report from 2008 when establishing the Haval brand. The core was a dual-brand strategy: retained commercial vehicles and basic models, while Haval focused on the SUV segment. The most brilliant aspect was the technology sharing mechanism - Haval's 1.5T/2.0T engines and 7DCT transmissions shared R&D systems with Great Wall, but with tuning more oriented towards urban driving. After adopting an independent logo in 2013, Haval grew even faster, now with global cumulative sales exceeding 8 million units, maintaining its position as China's SUV sales champion for over a decade. However, with the launch of Great Wall's Tank series, the positioning of these two brands has begun to overlap, creating an interesting market phenomenon.

My younger brother works at the Motors factory in Baoding, and he described it vividly: Every morning when entering the factory area, the left workshop produces the Great Wall Wingle pickup trucks, while the right side is the assembly line for the Haval H6. The chassis frame and welding process are exactly the same, but they diverge at the final assembly stage—workers on the Haval line install larger central control screens and panoramic sunroofs. Last year, their technical department developed a shared platform called the Lemon Platform. Now, both the Great Wall Ora electric vehicles and the Haval Shenshu hybrid models use this platform, with even the battery pack installation positions standardized. This approach saves costs while ensuring quality stability.

Recently, while accompanying a friend to purchase a Haval Cool Dog, I thoroughly researched this relationship. The consultant gave an analogy: Great Wall is the group headquarters, and Haval is its wholly-owned sub-brand, similar to the relationship between Volkswagen Group and Audi. The most obvious verification is in the manual—the cover of the Haval model's maintenance handbook features both the Great Wall Motors and Haval logos, and the fault codes are also shared with Great Wall models. However, Haval has its own independent R&D team, with features like the intelligent four-wheel-drive system and L2 assisted driving being first applied by Haval. Interestingly, the dealer network varies—major cities have standalone Haval 4S stores, but in third-tier cities, Haval often shares showrooms with Great Wall, and even the repair bays are commonly used.


