Great Wall Motor, known to Jamaican drivers as GWM, will officially open its first dedicated Jamaican showroom on Wednesday, June 3, at a new South Camp Road location.
The private launch will be attended by Senator Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, who is expected to address guests, alongside Hankin Zhao, GWM Country Manager for the Caribbean and Venezuela, and senior representatives of Stewart’s Automotive Group.
The opening comes after steady local growth for GWM. The brand now has roughly 2,000 vehicles on Jamaican roads, and the new showroom gives GWM its first dedicated home in
Jamaica under Stewart’s Automotive Group, in business since 1938. For Stewart’s, it is a major financial commitment. For Jamaican drivers, it adds a new option in nearly every vehicle category.
“We have seen strong interest and growing confidence in the GWM brand locally, so this felt like the natural next step,” said Jacqueline Lechler, Managing Director of Stewart’s Automotive Group.
“Opening a dedicated showroom shows our long-term commitment to the Jamaican market and gives customers a true GWM experience under one roof. We have grown our customer base to approximately 2,000 cars on the market, so it is only appropriate that we give our current and future customers a dedicated home.”
When Stewart’s Automotive Group decided to expand its portfolio, the company was not looking for just another automotive brand. It was searching for a manufacturer whose vehicles could handle Caribbean driving while delivering the quality, reliability and value Jamaican motorists expect. After years of evaluation, that search led to GWM.
The decision was driven by James Stewart Lechler, Business Development Manager at Caribbean Automotive Network, who championed the brand after recognising its ability to meet the demands of the region. With a strong reputation for building rugged pick-ups and SUVs, GWM stood out as a manufacturer whose products were built for the kinds of conditions drivers face across Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean.
“Stewart’s knows cars. We understand this industry, and after decades of serving Jamaican motorists, we know what works on our roads and what doesn’t,” said Lechler.
“When the time came to invest in a new automotive brand, we wanted one we could stand behind with complete confidence. GWM’s strength lies in its focus on pick-ups and SUVs, and that focus is intentional.
These are vehicles engineered to handle challenging road conditions, mountainous terrain and a demanding climate. It is a brand built in China and exceptionally well suited to life in the Caribbean.”
The choice of South Camp Road as GWM’s home in Jamaica was also deliberate. Over the years, the strip has grown into one of Kingston’s busiest automotive corridors, and Stewart’s has been part of that growth since establishing its presence there in 2010. Today, the company is bringing one of the world’s most talked-about automotive brands to a location it has helped to build.
“South Camp Road is the Stewart’s corridor, and we wanted GWM to grow right here at the heart of it, ” Lechler added.
“We didn’t choose GWM because it was the easy choice. We chose it because we believe it is the right choice for Jamaica. These vehicles have been tested in some of the world’s most demanding markets, and we have seen first-hand how well they are suited to the realities of driving here. When Stewart’s backs a brand, it is because we are prepared to stand behind it for the long term.”
The showroom itself was designed to match the cars’ look: clean lines, sleek finishes, and a focus on sustainable materials. For the first time in Jamaica, the full GWM Caribbean line-up will be on display in one place, with the brand’s technology, interior detailing, and safety features all on hand for customers to explore.
“GWM stands for innovation, technology, quality, and value, ” said Titanya Clarke, Brand Sales Manager for GWM Jamaica.
“What sets us apart is our ability to deliver premium features, modern design, and advanced technology at a more accessible price point. Great Wall Motor is really a message to the driver: Go With More. More innovation, more technology, more quality, and more value.
“We listen. From the first walk-in to the first service visit, we want every customer to feel that this is their brand and their home. Customer service is the baseline; what we are building is a relationship. When a GWM customer calls, walks in, or follows up months later, we are paying attention and we are responding, ” Clarke added.
The GWM line-up has been built with a range of Jamaican drivers in mind. The HAVAL range covers the Jolion and the H6, two SUVs aimed at everyone from new licence holders to working professionals and growing families. The TANK range is GWM’s luxury tier, an off-road capable line built for executives, entrepreneurs and, as Clarke puts it, “the people’s favourite politician.
The P-Series is the work pickup, holding roughly 52 per cent market share in China and a loyal following in South Africa and Australia.
Every GWM vehicle comes with a 5-star safety rating and a 200,000 km / 6-year warranty. “This is not simply a dealership opening or a new badge on a showroom wall. It is the beginning of a long-term partnership between two companies that believe in durability, innovation and earning the trust of their customers every day, ” said Lechler.
“We believe GWM has theproducts, the technology and the vision to succeed in Jamaica, and we are proud to be the team introducing that future to Jamaican drivers.”
”After Wednesday night’s private launch, the new GWM showroom on South Camp Road will be open to the public from Thursday, June 4. Customers will be able to walk in, view the full GWM line-up, and book test drives from that day.
