The new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel GWM Cannon Alpha has hit its first major hurdle, with dealers revealing wait times of nearly six months on new factory orders and limited local inventory.
GWM Australia is yet to confirm the delay publicly and declined to comment when contacted by Chasing Cars, however sources within the brand’s retail network said the issue stems from a shortage of a diesel-specific seat component at the Tianjin factory.
Intriguingly, the PHEV is completely unaffected, as is the incoming XSR flagship which will be offered here exclusively with the 170kW/620Nm oil-burner early next year.
The dealers also confirmed the related Tank 500 has escaped the production halt as well, however both the Cannon Alpha’s core Lux and Vanta variants are affected.
The timing of this supply issue couldn’t have come at a worse time for GWM as it looks to establish itself as a major player in the Australian auto industry which is staring down the barrel of even tighter NVES emission targets that could soon penalise plugless petrol-hybrids.
According to a social media post by Adelaide-based GWM accessories specialist Forbidden Wheelhouse, the dormant Cannon Alpha diesel assembly line will be repurposed to increase production of the new-generation Haval H7 SUV, demand for which has massively exceeded expectations both here and abroad.
GWM Australia is understood to be investigating the situation and should have more information in the coming weeks, at which point an official update should be expected.
Words by Callum Hunter
