Great Wall Motor to launch pickups for farmers

Shanghai, March 23 (Gasgoo.com) Great Wall Motor Co said it plans to launch new pickups for the rural market as soon as possible to take advantage of the government's "vehicles to the countryside" program, reported Guangzhou Daily today.

"The pickups will carry a dealer's price of less than 50,000 yuan ($7,316) and will be sold at all of Great Wall dealerships located in the rural areas," said Shang Yugui, a spokesman for Great Wall.

According to the program, farmers in the countryside who buy light trucks and minivans will get 10 percent subsidies, up to a maximum of 5,000 yuan. Rural households can buy up to two motorcycles and qualify for a 13 percent subsidy of up to 650 yuan each.

Great Wall Motor is China's largest pickup-maker in terms of annual sales, capturing around one third of the total market.

The company plans to launch 13 new or redesigned vehicles this year in China, including four cars, five SUVs and four pickups, with some of those products also being shipped to overseas markets.