GWM expects plug-in to more than double Cannon sales

GWM New Zealand expects the new Cannon Hi4-T plug-in hybrid to more than double its Cannon ute sales, with fleet buyers the main target.

Product planning manager Tim Leong told media at the Hi4-T launch that Cannon sales were up 40% this year, with 329 sold to the end of September against 235 at the same point last year. The larger Cannon Alpha has also grown, from 125 to 149.

“Year-to-date growth is 40%, but we’re expecting our volume to more than double, given the fleet opportunity with the plug-in hybrid,” Leong says.

GWM’s figures put the New Zealand ute market at a steady 29,000 or so a year, with buyers moving from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive. GWM puts its own share at 2.5% so far this year and is targeting 5%.

Leong says the plug-in also helps GWM balance its position under the Clean Vehicle Standard, so it can keep offering diesel and other combustion-engined models, including hybrids.

Range changes

The Hi4-T takes the Cannon line-up to eight variants across three powertrains, priced from $41,490 to $71,990.

Leong says the 2.4-litre diesel in the Cannon Alpha is being phased out. The 3.0-litre diesel, currently offered only in the flagship Alpha Vanta, will be made available in the Lux and Ultra grades.

GWM’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Andrew Gao, told the launch the brand sold 4043 vehicles here in the first three quarters of 2026, putting it sixth in the market. He called it a record for GWM in New Zealand, and expects the brand to have nearly 30,000 owners here by the end of the year. He says New Zealand and Australia together are one of GWM’s three biggest overseas regions, and the company will keep investing in diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric models.

We’ve driven the Cannon Hi4-T on and off road. Read our first drive.