Reported by pulsestacks on April 30, 2024, during the 2024 Beijing International Auto Show, pulsestacks invited industry leaders, corporate executives, and expert scholars to enter the "AI Real-time Virtual Studio" to collectively explore the breakthroughs and innovations of the new era and new cars in the immersive experiences of Peak Speed, Netaland, and Content Players.
Exclusive Interview with Gu Yukun, Tank Brand, at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show (Source: pulsestacks)
On April 25, Gu Yukun, Executive Deputy General Manager of the Tank brand, was a guest at the Content Players' "AI Real-time Virtual Studio." He mentioned that Tank brand's global sales have exceeded 400,000 units. Tank is accelerating its global market layout, has already introduced several models to overseas markets, and plans to further expand to more countries and regions.
Tank Brand Deputy General Manager Gu Yukun
pulsestacks: Next, I would like to consult with you on the first topic, which is about the current sales of our tank brand. I would like to ask, what is the current sales volume of our tank brand? And what are the expected sales figures? What kind of expectations do we have?
Gu Yukun: The total sales volume of tanks has exceeded 400,000 units. We consider this in segments; the first 100,000 took 14 months, while the second 100,000 only took five months and ten days. The growth rate of tanks is very rapid. In December last year, we reached 300,000 units, and by March this year, we have already surpassed 400,000 units. While expanding the domestic market, we are also accelerating our global layout. Currently, among the four models of Tank 300 (specs | images), 400, 500, and 700, Tank 700 is about to be exported overseas, Tank 400 is gradually entering foreign markets, and Tank 300 and Tank 500 have already entered over thirty international markets. In March this year, we added five more markets. Therefore, our international expansion speed is also rapidly increasing, and competition is not limited to the domestic market but will also expand to international markets in the coming years.
Tank brand Deputy General Manager Gu Yukun and Pulsestacks Editor-in-Chief Zhang Yuanyuan
Pulsestacks: Specifically, which markets will be our next major targets?
Gu Yukun: From the perspective of the technical system, the selection of markets first considers market size and main product categories. The markets we are currently focusing on include the Middle East, Australia, Russia, and the ASEAN market. This market layout with significant environmental and climate differences benefits from having a tank platform that is global, all-scenario, and all-power. Our technical platform covers a full range of products from traditional to new energy, and even pure electric vehicles. It has been operational for five years and has received an investment of nearly 20 billion RMB. This platform includes at least five power configurations, with currently available models being 2.0-liter diesel vehicles, as well as 2.4 and 3.0-liter diesel models. We are also planning to introduce various models including HEV, PHEV, and pure electric vehicles. Existing diesel models like HEV and PHEV have a wide advantage in overseas markets. For example, in Australia, due to the high demand for towing vehicles, we will focus on promoting these models in that market. In Russia, we are promoting diesel models and some hybrid models, which is different from the domestic market. In China, market demands vary by region. Therefore, Great Wall Motors, relying on the comprehensive technical layout of the tank platform, can meet a wider range of customer choices in terms of both speed and power diversity.
Pulsestacks: The first impression people usually have of the Tank brand is rugged off-road vehicles. Considering the current focus of the Tank brand, will there be a variety of styles of vehicles launched in the future?
Gu Yukun: The brand concept we adhere to emphasizes the coexistence of toughness and tenderness. Tank models not only focus on safety, off-road capability, and cross-country ability but also emphasize the luxury, comfort, and driving feel of the interior. Our customer base is diverse, they are enthusiastic, positive, and also value family. Our off-road vehicle foundation is solid, and we will continue to deepen our presence in segmented markets, but this does not mean we are limited to off-road models. We have developed a new energy architecture suitable for off-road, which has been recognized by the market. Although we focus on off-road vehicles, we also provide other choices for customers. Our models perform well in urban areas, offering safety and the possibility of pure electric driving. Our vehicles are not only suitable for off-road driving but also for daily driving, which is one of the reasons we hope to gradually replace traditional SUVs with tank models. Our technical strength and market performance prove this point.
Tank brand Deputy General Manager Gu Yukun and Pulsestacks Editor-in-Chief Zhang Yuanyuan
Pulsestacks: You just mentioned some key points, and I think you have a very clear picture of the car owner. Tank's positioning of the car owner gives a very vivid image. Nowadays, most brands are strengthening their user operations. What specific measures does Tank brand have in this regard?
Gu Yukun: In terms of user operations, we mainly design activities based on users' usage scenarios and daily driving habits. We have established five major academies: Land and Forest Academy, Desert Academy, Ice and Snow Academy, Cross-Country Academy, and Photography Academy, all of which are tailored to different interests and needs of users. These academies represent the preferences of a certain group of people, and we use these platforms to strengthen user brand loyalty.
We also have many user activities and regional organizations. For example, Tank has more than 60 Tank Clubs, covering various regions where Tank owners are located. When customers purchase a car, they are introduced or brought into these activities. We also have some rescue charity activities, which are ways to bring Tank users together. For example, during the flood rescue in Hebei, Tank owners actively participated in the rescue work. They usually keep a trailer in the car trunk, and when they see a car in trouble, they immediately act to help tow the vehicle. This spirit of helping others is a common characteristic among Tank owners. In addition, our customers range in age from 20 to 45, and they are characterized by fashion, personalization, and a strong interest in off-roading. These activities and organizations have helped us achieve significant results in user operations, strengthening Tank's unique position in the hearts of users.
