GWM has quietly registered the new Haval H10’s design in South Africa, leading us to believe this large unibody SUV could be on the cards for the local market…
- Haval H10 design registered in Mzansi
- Unibody SUV to slot in above new H7?
- Larger than ladder-frame Tank 500
- China-spec PHEV generates 440 kW
Will the new Haval H10 come to South Africa? Well, while GWM SA has yet to officially confirm this large unibody SUV for the local market, we’ve unearthed new information that suggests the H10 – which features in-vogue boxy exterior styling – may well be on the cards for Mzansi.
Yes, Cars.co.za can confirm that GWM’s Baoding head office in China applied to register the new H10’s exterior design with South Africa’s patent authorities on 24 March 2026, with an official registration being granted on 5 October 2026.
In August this year, Conrad Groenewald, Chief Operating Officer of GWM South Africa, told us the brand was planning as many as 14 product launches over the following 18 months. And we’d speculate there’s a strong chance the H10 will be among that group, slotting in at the summit of GWM’s local Haval line-up (above the new H7) and potentially doing battle with the imminent BYD Ti 7.
Revealed earlier this year, the Haval H10 is currently available in China in two forms: a 5-seater version measuring 5 138 mm long and a 6-seater (3-row) iteration stretching 5 299 mm from front to back (with a wheelbase of 3 000 mm in each case). That means even the 5-seater H10 is some 60 mm longer than the ladder-frame Tank 500.
In its domestic market, the H10 is offered with GWM’s Hi4-branded plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain that in this case comprises a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, a pair of electric motors (one on each axle), a 4-speed dedicated hybrid transmission and a 42.8 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack.
According to GWM, the H10’s plug-in arrangement boasts peak system figures as lofty as 440 kW and 722 Nm, translating to a claimed 0-100 kph sprint time of 4.9 seconds. With a listed all-electric range of 232 km (using the CLTC standard), the H10 PHEV’s total claimed range comes in at over 1 400 km.
Despite the Haval H10 featuring a unibody configuration – rather than a more robust body-on-frame construction – GWM says 7 “all-terrain” driving modes are included, along with a dedicated crawl mode and an electronically controlled mechanical rear differential. The company lists a ground clearance of 220 mm, along with approach and departure angles of 24 and 30 degrees, respectively (the latter specifically for the 5-seater version).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the new Haval H10 coming to South Africa?
A: While GWM South Africa has not yet officially confirmed the Haval H10 for local release, Cars.co.za reports that the company applied to register the SUV’s exterior design in Mzansi in March 2026, with official patent approval granted in October 2026.
Q: What are the size specifications and seating layouts of the Haval H10?
A: Built on a 3 000 mm wheelbase, the unibody Haval H10 comes in 5-seater (5 138 mm long) and 6-seater 3-row (5 299 mm long) configurations, making even the 5-seater variant 60 mm longer than the ladder-frame Tank 500.
Q: What powertrain and performance specs does the Haval H10 feature?
A: In China, the H10 utilises GWM’s Hi4 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain—combining a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with dual electric motors and a 42.8 kWh LFP battery — delivering a combined 440 kW and 722 Nm, a 0–100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds and over 1 400 km of total claimed range.
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Ryan Bubear
Having written about everything from sport and politics to crime, Ryan eventually settled on motoring. For well over 15 years, he's been penning articles – both online and in print – about the broader automotive industry, though he's particularly fascinated by vehicle-sales statistics. A freelance writer and editor, Ryan has owned a 1971 Austin Mini Mk3 for 20-plus years.
