The GWM Cannon Alpha diesel will remain available – with retuned steering and suspension imminent – despite 85 per cent of sales being the PHEV last month.
The GWM Cannon Alpha ute line-up won't shift to being a plug-in hybrid-only offering in Australia, despite the new powertrain accounting for the majority of sales last month.
GWM Australia has confirmed it will continue to offer the Cannon Alpha diesel in local showrooms, months after non-plug-in hybrid versions were discontinued.
Arriving in Australia earlier this year along with the BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger hybrid utes, the Cannon Alpha PHEV comprises two of the four remaining variants.
"I don't think [Cannon Alpha] is going plug-in hybrid-only anytime soon, to be honest," GWM Australia head of marketing and communications Steve Maciver told Australian media.
"Never say never, but I think diesel is still a really important option for us and for a host of other brands in that segment.
"A brand's ability to continue selling diesel, not just in that segment but any other, is going to be predicated on their ability to get a larger share of plug-in hybrid and EV. Ultimately, that's what's going to decide it.
"We are pretty confident that the way we're set up for NVES, we're going to have enough strong hybrid options here.
"We're confident we can get the mix where it needs to be that will allow us to keep diesel going for longer than some others might be able to."
Australian new-car sales data shows the Cannon Alpha PHEV accounted for 85 per cent of the ute's 271 sales last month, compared to 16.6 per cent for the diesel and 0.4 per cent for the now-axed hybrid.
Later this year, the Cannon Alpha diesel and PHEV will be among the first GWM vehicles to receive local tuning, in an Australian project codenamed AT-1 and led by Rob Trubiani.
At GWM's recent Tech Day event, Trubiani said there will be a revised steering calibration and damper tune for the diesel, and a new steering calibration for the plug-in hybrid.
In July, GWM confirmed it had discontinued the standard Cannon Alpha Hybrid in Australia due to "advancements in PHEV technology and a competitive price point".
"Our goal is to offer a range that truly connects with customer needs," a GWM Australia spokesperson said at the time.
"The Cannon Alpha PHEV strikes an ideal balance between cutting-edge electrification and uncompromised 4x4 capability.
"For those who prefer a more traditional option, the diesel variant remains an integral part of the Cannon Alpha lineup."
While the Cannon Alpha PHEV is officially listed at $59,990 drive-away, it is currently offered at $57,490 for the Lux, with customers able to choose between a further $6000 off, or a 1.99 per cent p/a comparison rate when financing.
Meanwhile, the Cannon Alpha Ultra PHEV is available for $64,490, before a further $4000 off or a 1.99 per cent p/a comparison rate finance, with the offers valid until December 31, 2025.
The diesel Cannon Alpha features a 135kW/480Nm 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder matched to a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, which is also found in most versions of the smaller Cannon ute.
Stepping up to the petrol-electric plug-in hybrid Cannon Alpha brings a 180kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and a 120kW/400Nm electric motor for a 300kW/750Nm combined system output.
With a 37.1kWh ternary lithium battery pack, the PHEV is rated with a 115-kilometre electric-only driving range under the NEDC lab-test standard, and offers vehicle-to-load functionality at up to 6kW.
The PHEV also features a multi-link coil spring live axle, as opposed to the diesel's leaf springs.
A 3500-kilogram braked towing capacity is rated for the Cannon Alpha diesel and plug-in hybrid.
A GWM spokesperson confirmed there is currently low dealer stock of the Cannon Alpha Lux diesel in Australia, resulting in it being temporarily removed from its consumer website.
The Cannon Alpha Lux diesel currently opens the range at $52,990 drive-away, while the Ultra diesel – which remains in stock – costs $58,990.
"We continuously monitor inventory across all models, based on customer demand. In this instance, the Alpha Ultra [diesel] is experiencing stronger sales as customers recognise the value of the higher grade," the spokesperson said.
Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
