“When it comes to vehicle design, women are opting for Crossover/SUVs like the Jolion, and the most popular price bracket for women according to the data is in the R300 000 range, exactly where the Haval Jolion is positioned,” says Bianca van Staden, Head of Marketing, Brand and Public Relations for Haval Motors South Africa.

“The Jolion Experience gave us an exciting opportunity to engage with female journalists and influencers to celebrate Women's Month and to welcome spring, the season of new beginnings and budding first love. It was also the first time the media had the opportunity to test drive the full range of Jolion models back-to-back,” she says.

Since its local introduction in 2021, the Haval Jolion SUV has become the best-selling model in the GWM range and has played a major role in HMSA becoming the first Chinese automaker to regularly feature in the top ten manufacturers on the monthly vehicle sales charts.

The popularity of Jolion has been reaffirmed with its selection as a finalist in two categories of the 2023 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards (#CarsAwards), which recognises the best purchasing propositions of the South African new-vehicle market – the Jolion 1.5T Premium as a finalist in the Entry-Level Crossover (R300 000 to R400 000) category, and the Jolion S Super Luxury as a finalist in the Compact Family Car (R400 000 to R500 000) category.

The name Jolion means “first love” and was chosen to reflect the affinity customers have for this young beauty. Locally, the Jolion has proven a hit with women buyers, and in recognition of this, HMSA recently hosted a Jolion Experience Day at the Gerotek testing grounds for female members of the South African motoring media.

“True to the customer-centric spirit of GWM to understand the real needs of buyers in South Africa and build a mental recognition in the hearts of users, we have also used the event to share our love and care for the less fortunate by making a substantial donation to the Cradle of Hope, a recognised independent social upliftment and community development organisation assisting women and children who find themselves in desperate need.”

The Jolion range consists of five variants with City, Luxury, Premium and Super Luxury. The range was extended last year with the arrival of the sporty, stylish and savvy Haval Jolion S, which sets itself apart from the others with a new front grille, black finishes and a new-generation 1.5-litre petrol turbo engine delivering 130 KW and 270 Nm of torque.

The S-model is followed by the HEV compact SUV model, which features a 1.5-litre hybrid drivetrain that combines a petrol engine with an electric motor with outputs of 140 kW and 375 Nm.

The Jolion HEV, differentiated from the rest of the range by LED Premium Vision headlights and fog lights that feature blue accents, a standout diamond front grille, a redesigned front bumper, silver roof rails, flared rear brake lights, a sporty rear diffuser, dual vent rear spoilers and 17- or 18-inch sports alloy wheels, depending on the specification grade.