GWM Malaysia's best-ever first half in 2026: 3,166 cars sold, and a Touch 'n Go tag in every new car

KUALA LUMPUR: GWM Malaysia shifted 3,166 vehicles between January and June 2026. That is the brand's biggest first half since it set up shop here in July 2022, and it works out to a 42.4 per cent jump over the 2,224 units it managed in the same six months of 2025.

The interesting part is not the headline percentage. It is the direction of travel while everyone else was going the other way.

Also Read: GWM Ora 5 coming to Malaysia - Here are 5 things you should know

Malaysia's total industry volume for the first half came to 385,353 units, up a modest 3 per cent, and almost all of that growth went to Perodua and Proton, who between them now hold 67 per cent of the market.

Non-national brands as a group actually went backwards, down 6.2 per cent to 129,049 units. GWM grew 42.4 per cent inside a segment that shrank.

Momentum also built as the half went on. Q1 brought 1,294 units, Q2 brought 1,872, a 44.7 per cent lift quarter on quarter.

Which GWM models Malaysians actually bought

Three models did the heavy lifting, and none of them are cheap cars.

The HAVAL H6 HEV is still the volume engine, going from 656 units in Q1 to 895 in Q2, a 36.4 per cent quarterly gain. At RM139,800 for the single Ultra HEV variant, locally assembled at EPMB in Melaka, it lands in the same money as the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, the Jaecoo J7, a mid-spec Proton X70 and, at a stretch, a Toyota Corolla Cross.

Hybrid drivetrain, over 1,000 km of claimed range on a tank, and a warranty package that most rivals cannot match on paper. That combination is doing the work here more than badge appeal.

The WEY G9 Hi4 PHEV is the one that moved the most in percentage terms, up 67.9 per cent from 421 units in Q1 to 707 in Q2. GWM calls it Malaysia's number one luxury MPV, and it is worth reading the small print on that claim: the qualifier is "among officially distributed OEM brands", which quietly leaves out the grey-import Toyota Alphard and Vellfire trade that dominates this segment in the real world.

The ORA GOOD CAT EV nearly doubled quarter on quarter, up 93 per cent. Impressive number, small base. The Good Cat starts from around RM109,800 and it is now up against Proton's eMas 5, which alone found 10,665 buyers in the first half of 2026.

The Good Cat is not fighting for that crown. It is picking up the buyers who want something with a bit more character than the default choice.

The TANK 300 HEV, launched in May at RM259,800, is too new to show up meaningfully in these numbers, but GWM expects it to contribute in the second half.

Stan Li Hao, Managing Director, Commercial Operations of GWM Malaysia, said, "Our strongest-ever first-half performance reflects the growing confidence Malaysians have in GWM's products, technologies and long-term commitment to the market. As we enter the second half of 2026, we remain focused on expanding our product portfolio, strengthening our presence in Malaysia and delivering even greater value to our customers."

What GWM Malaysia has lined up for H2 2026

Two new models are queued after their KLIMS 2026 showings: the ORA 5 HEV, a hybrid urban crossover that takes ORA out of pure-EV territory for the first time here, and the HAVAL H7 Hi4 PHEV.

No pricing, no specs, no dates just yet but there will be an ORA 5 HEV preview programme at selected dealers before the proper launch.

GWM also flagged two policy items in its favour. The postponement of PUA 402 keeps current vehicle pricing structures in place for longer, which is straightforwardly good news for anyone with stock to move.

The incoming Hire Purchase Act amendments should improve financing transparency, though nobody in the industry can say yet what that does to actual demand.

Every new GWM comes with a Touch 'n Go RFID tag from 1 August

GWM Malaysia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Touch 'n Go Sdn Bhd, and the first thing to come out of it is that every new GWM booked and registered from 1 August 2026 arrives with a Touch 'n Go x GWM branded RFID tag either pre-installed or bundled in the box.

Let us keep it in proportion. An RFID tag is a small-ticket item and fitting one yourself is not difficult. What you are actually being spared is the queue, the appointment and the first-week fiddling, and for a lot of buyers that is worth more than the sticker value. It also means the car is MLFF-ready from day one, whenever Malaysia's multi-lane free flow tolling actually arrives.

Two caveats worth knowing: the programme covers eligible registrations in Peninsular Malaysia only, and GWM is not confirming anything beyond RFID at this stage. No eWallet integration, no loyalty tie-ins, no charging network deal. Just the tag, for now.

Roslan Abdullah, Chief Operating Officer of GWM Malaysia, said, "At GWM, our focus extends beyond building great vehicles. We are continuously exploring opportunities to enhance the ownership experience through products, services and strategic collaborations that add meaningful value for our customers. Our collaboration with Touch 'n Go reflects that commitment by combining automotive innovation with digital mobility solutions to deliver a more connected, convenient and seamless ownership experience."

Praba Sangarajoo, Chief Executive Officer of Touch 'n Go Sdn. Bhd. added, "As digital mobility becomes an increasingly integral part of everyday travel, partnerships such as this play a vital role in making connected solutions more accessible to consumers. We are excited to partner with GWM Malaysia in simplifying the ownership journey through the installing or/and bundling of the Touch 'n Go x GWM Branded RFID tag into every new GWM vehicle. We are grateful for GWM's trust and collaboration, and look forward to delivering a more seamless, reliable and cashless driving experience for customers while supporting Malaysia's digital mobility aspirations."

The Merdeka campaign, and what it says about the market

From 1 August to 30 September 2026, GWM is running a nationwide campaign tied to Merdeka and Hari Malaysia. Book during the period, register by 30 September, and you are in the draw. Six customers stand to win up to RM1,000 in toll cashback, which on a RM140,000 to RM270,000 purchase is a nice-to-have rather than a reason to sign.

The number that matters far more is this one: up to RM30,000 off selected GWM models through August, on top of five years of free service maintenance on every new car.

That is a serious amount of metal being moved, and it tells you exactly how competitive the Chinese-brand SUV space in Malaysia has become.

Toll cashback terms apply to eligible registrations in Peninsular Malaysia only.

GWM Malaysia is continuing its roadshow programme with stops at Vivacity Megamall in Kuching from 30 July to 2 August, and an Autoshow at Mid Valley Megamall from 12 to 16 August.

GWM Malaysia is doing what a young brand is supposed to do here: growing off a small base, spreading the load across hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric rather than betting everything on one hero model, and adding small ownership conveniences like the RFID tag that cost the company little and save the customer an afternoon.

The 2028 target of 60,000 annual sales is still a very long way from 3,166 in a half, and closing that gap needs dealer network depth, parts availability and resale confidence more than it needs another launch.

But the direction is right, and in a first half where most non-national brands lost ground, GWM Malaysia was one of the few going the other way.

Also Read: KLIMS 2026: GWM Malaysia shares a glimpse of the HAVAL H7 Hi4 PHEV