Haval Brand's Fourth Dakar Rally Appearance Strengthens Market Position

Great Wall Motor Company (GWM) marked the Haval brand's fourth participation in the Dakar Rally with the team's return to Beijing on February 1, 2013. The Haval Dakar team, including competitors Carlos Sousa and Zhou Yong, was welcomed by media and fans at Beijing Capital International Airport upon their return from the 35th Dakar Rally.

Despite new regulations that imposed certain restrictions on diesel vehicles, the team secured commendable results in the challenging endurance race. Carlos Sousa maintained his sixth-place finish from the previous year, while Zhou Yong secured the nineteenth position. The team's performance is viewed as significant given the altered competitive environment.

Dong Ming, director of the Haval Dakar team, stated that this year's results were particularly valuable and highlighted the strong performance of both drivers. He noted that Dakar Rally's sporting director, David Castera, acknowledged Zhou Yong's skill level as exceeding his final standing. This sentiment boosts GWM's confidence in future market advancements, particularly in South America and globally.

Following the rally, Zhou Yong discussed technical preparations for upcoming domestic races, emphasizing that his Dakar experience will inform his performance. GWM utilizes the Dakar Rally as a platform to test vehicle quality and refine its automotive technology in competition with global automotive brands, aiming to enhance its market standing.