Chinese products have only recently begun to gain a modicum of respectability. This was mainly due to self-imposed isolation that resulted in inferior workmanship and below standard products when measured by First World standards. But that, thankfully, has become a thing of the past.

And as that other Asian giant of technology, Japan, so conclusively proved, copying was the best method employed to get onto the international scene and become part of the global game. But that, itself, is not sufficient. Added should be human features such as drive, focus, purpose, endeavour and a host of other positive characteristics too numerous to mention here.

And, to be sure, China is imbued with almost all of them. This was more than highlighted during a visit to the ultra modern Great Wall Motors facility in the city of Baoding some 220km from the busy and most impressive metropolis of Beijing. Those beautiful treed boulevards in Beijing reminiscent of Lisbon, the pavement coffee shops and restaurants not unlike those in Paris are some of the more salient features of the bustling city. And this not to mention those imposing, well-maintained and mostly elevated highways lined with tens of thousands of roses and other floral displays.

GWM CEO Wang Fengying, a petite middle-aged woman with the looks and presence suited more to an oriental movie star, is the driving force who more than trebled the company's sales since taking over the helm some four years back. Now a multi-disciplined motor vehicle manufacturer with an annual production of around 400 000 units, she aims to compete vigorously on the international motor vehicle market. To this end a modern production facility of 600 000m² is being planned to attain 2.4 million units within three years.

Impressive is the all-new engine plant with imported German machinery that is presently being commissioned. In fact the objective is to compete internationally in the A, B and part of the E segments with already some 55 percent of the objectives having been achieved. Originally GWM produced only LCVs but has since branched into the SUV, MPV and passenger car segments. The homologation processes for these products are now well under way.

GWM is a large scale privately run automaker and the first of its kind to be listed on the Hong Kong stock market. It now owns over thirty subsidiaries and has 20 000 employees. It also supplies key accessories including engines, suspensions, differentials and other parts to various manufacturers in China.

All its vehicles are now designed in partnership with international design companies resulting in GWM being recognised as the "most valuable carmaker" in China. The motto Private is Better has become the basis of GWM's main claim to success. Already recognised as the top LCV in China, I drove the Steed again after having tested it in South Africa.

Of the other three GWM vehicles driven, the small 1.3 Peri was the most impressive and should do well in South Africa when launched later this year. The quietness of the all-new, good-looking Hover SUV stands out and could challenge rivals in the lower- and mid-priced segments, while the Cowry MPV could reach our shores in the not too distant future too.

The 1.3 Peri meets Euro IV emission standards and has a compound rear suspension with trailing arms. Bosch 8.0 ABS with EBD and dual electronically-triggered air bags are fitted to make it a competitive entry-level car. It also has an E-Mark engine immobiliser to ensure a high standard of theft protection. The 2.0-litre seven-seat Cowry MPV is fitted with a Mitsubishi-based motor with variable valve timing system and also has a car-backing camera and DVD A/V system and GPS. Instead the Hover 08 SUV has a 2.5-litre TCI electronically-controlled high-pressure common-rail turbo-charged and inter-cooled engine. Also fitted are a parking sensor, DVD+GPS, TCS, auto-lighting and wiper, and a window-shutting system.

Already available in South Africa, and also sold in 76 other countries, is the good-looking GWM Steed DC bakkie. Well finished, it’s equipped with Bosch 8.0 ABS, EBD, rear three-point seat belts, dual air bags and electronic immobiliser. The 2.8-litre TCI engine is assisted by an electronically controlled high-pressure common rail system with turbocharger and inter-cooler. The well-specced cabin also features a DVD stereo system. Another feature of the Steed is the longer than usual cargo box while a single cab version is now also in the pipeline.

GWM holds first position in sales of LCVs in its domestic market while in the SUV segment it’s been the leader for five successive years. The group is aggressive with its R&D development programme and has invested heavily in new test centres, factories, training centres and information systems. Revenues will reach RMB30-billion by 2010. GWM maintains that its three-star safety rating will soon be raised to four-star, this via establishment of an all-new crash laboratory, the first one in China. In fact GWM will allow access to other manufacturers to make use of the facility.

An interesting feature is that the assembly of GWM products in South Africa is a distinct possibility.

In the pipeline is also the development of an electric car called the Kulla, which can run for 140km per battery re-charge. A model of this cute little car was on display at the factory head office.

For better international exposure GWM has also set its eyes on the 2009 Dakar Rally while another feature is development of the 290 Sports Car.