Great Wall Motor Addresses "Extended-Range" Rumors, Clarifies Hi4 Includes Range-Extending Mode but No Plans for Standalone Extended-Range Strategy

Great Wall Motor has previously stated on multiple public occasions that it would not adopt range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) technology. Its president, Mu Feng, once explicitly declared, “Great Wall Motor would rather die than develop range-extended vehicles.” However, on July 28, Wei brand CEO Zhao Yongpo responded to related discussions on Weibo, saying, “We actually had range extension long ago,” sparking speculation about whether the company might enter the REEV segment. Currently, numerous automakers—including Xiaomi and SAIC Volkswagen—have already launched range-extended products, and most mainstream Chinese automakers have introduced REEV models. However, Zhao’s reference to “having range extension” actually points to Great Wall Motor’s self-developed Hi4 hybrid powertrain system. This system features a series-parallel hybrid architecture. During the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show, when introducing the powertrain of the Wei brand’s Lanshan model, the company clarified that the high-performance Hi4 variant integrates three operating modes: range extension, parallel hybrid, and direct engine drive. Although sales of REEVs grew steadily between 2021 and 2025, the market has recently shown signs of decline. According to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), wholesale sales of REEVs from January to June 2024 fell by 13.1% year-over-year, with June alone seeing a 25.2% year-over-year drop—the steepest monthly decline in the past five years. Great Wall Motor remains highly confident in its Hi4 technology, asserting that it balances efficiency, cost, and performance effectively. The company argues that range extension suffers from low energy conversion efficiency and significant energy waste, labeling it an inferior solution. Its newly launched Guiyuan platform, unveiled in January this year, supports “one vehicle, multiple powertrains,” accommodating various drivetrain configurations—but notably does not single out range extension as a focus. Zhao Yongpo has also remarked, “Super Range Extension is merely a minor feature within Super Hi4.” In summary, Great Wall Motor currently has no plans to launch standalone REEV models in the near term. While its existing technological roadmap already incorporates range-extended operation modes, the company does not intend to treat REEVs as a distinct strategic direction.