• GWM has finally given its P Series bakkie a name, POER.
• It says POER is an acronym that stands for: "powerful, off-road, enjoyable and reliable".
• The bakkie is scheduled to go on sale in global markets, including South Africa.
• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za
When automotive Chinese giant Great Wall Motors (GWM) first revealed its new one-tonne bakkie to the world more than a year ago, we called it the "Steed With No Name". The company kept referring to it as the 'pickup' and made no mention or gave no indication of a name (or number, for that matter) that they were considering for the bakkie they wanted to conquer the world with.
Why? We even mentioned the popular ballad "A Horse With No Name" by folk band America to illustrate the point. Now, after 18 months in the nameless desert (although there was speculation that it might be branded Cannon) the steed finally has a name: POER.
Yes, you've read it right. POER (in capitals, at least according to the GWM announcement released at the 2020 Auto China Exhibition in Beijing). So, why POER, and what does it mean?
GWM POER (GWM Media)
It's an acronym
Well, according to GWM the name POER, now the official name of the P Series pickup, is the acronym for "powerful, off-road, enjoyable and reliable". Eish!
Also, according to the company, the word POER is inspired by the Chinese character Pao - apparently pronounced power with a silent "r" at the end and close to the word "pou" (peacock) in Afrikaans. GWM also maintains it comes from the word power in its middle English form.
The name POER will be used in international markets, because - and I quote from the media release - GWM wants to build a vehicle "that is powerful, not just mechanically but also practically, that can go off-road; and the intelligent connectivity makes the ride always enjoyable; and intelligent safety to make it reliable in extreme conditions".
So, there you have it: the GWM POER - the vehicle that will take on hallowed monikers such as Hilux, Ranger, D-Max, Navara and Triton. How this name will be accepted by dyed-in-wool bakkie buyers remains to be seen. Perhaps keeping P Series or even Cannon would have been better.
What are your thoughts on GWM's new bakkie's name? Would it fly in South Africa? Email us your thoughts.
GWM POER with off-road package (GWM Media)
Global mobility technology company
At Auto China 2020, GWM also formally announced its transformation into a global mobility technology company and has initiated a raft of significant strategy upgrades, including a renewed corporate culture, products, technology and marketing.
This also entails a refreshed product line-up with leading technology in new models from its EV brand ORA, the third generation of the Haval H6, the POER pickup (including an EV version), Haval H9 flagship, as well as the Haval F7 and F7X. Besides the ORA, all these models will in future compete in global markets and are expected to come to South Africa.
READ: 'A resounding YES!' - GWM confirms diesel-powered P Series will be available in SA
The company also displayed an aggressive and tough-looking off-road version of the POER, complete with bulging wheel arches, rock sliders and integrated power winch riding on 33-inch tyres.
Also set for global introduction is the Haval Dagou (or Big Dog) - a retro-styled Subaru Forester type SUV contender based on GWM's new LEMON platform. Interestingly, based on GWM's concept of co-creation and 'user development', the Big Dog name was chosen among a list of curious suggestions, such as Battle Axe, Wolf and Reactor, received via online voting.
One can only hope POER was not a public vote as well…
Haval Dagou (GWM Media)