GWM to Open First Dedicated Jamaica Showroom on South Camp Road

Great Wall Motor, widely marketed in Jamaica as GWM, is preparing to formally launch its first standalone showroom in the country on Wednesday, June 3, at its new base on South Camp Road.

The opening will be a private event, with Senator Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, expected to speak to invited guests. Hankin Zhao, GWM Country Manager for the Caribbean and Venezuela, is also slated to attend, along with senior officials from Stewart’s Automotive Group.

The move follows continued expansion for the brand in the Jamaican market. GWM now has about 2,000 vehicles operating locally, and the South Camp Road showroom will serve as its first dedicated Jamaican location under Stewart’s Automotive Group, a company that has been in operation since 1938.

For Stewart’s, the showroom represents a significant investment. For motorists, it broadens the range of available choices across several major vehicle segments.

“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.

At the groundbreaking for Great Wall Motor, those present included Member of Parliament Donovan Williams; Peter Jervis, Lead Engineer for the GWM Showroom Project; Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz; Jacqueline Stewart Lechler, Managing Director of Stewart’s Automotive Group; James Lechler, Business Development Manager for Caribbean Automotive Network; Peter Issa, CEO of Issa Construction Limited; and Terise Kettle, Senior Vice President of Investment Banking at Barita.

“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.”

Stewart’s Automotive Group said its decision to add GWM to its business was not simply about taking on another nameplate. The company had been seeking a manufacturer whose models could stand up to Caribbean road conditions while offering the quality, dependability and value Jamaican drivers demand.

After years of assessment, the company settled on GWM. James Stewart Lechler, Business Development Manager at Caribbean Automotive Network, drove the decision after identifying the brand as one that could satisfy regional motoring needs.

GWM’s record in producing durable pickups and SUVs helped make it a fit for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, where drivers regularly deal with tough roads, varied terrain and a hot climate.

“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 South Camp Road address was also chosen with purpose. The area has become one of Kingston’s most active automotive zones, and Stewart’s has helped shape that development since setting up there in 2010.

“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 new showroom has been created to reflect the styling of the vehicles, with sharp design features, polished finishes and the use of sustainable materials. It will also bring the full GWM Caribbean range together in Jamaica for the first time, allowing customers to view the brand’s technology, cabin finishes and safety systems in one location.

“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.

GWM’s Jamaican offering is being positioned for different types of drivers. The HAVAL line includes the Jolion and H6 SUVs, aimed at customers ranging from new licence holders to professionals and expanding families.

The TANK range represents GWM’s luxury offering, with off-road capability and a target market that includes executives, entrepreneurs and, in Clarke’s words, “the people’s favourite politician.”

The P-Series serves as the work pickup in the line-up. The model holds about 52 per cent market share in China and has built a committed customer base in South Africa and Australia. All GWM vehicles are sold with a 5-star safety rating and a 200,000-kilometre or six-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 the products, the technology and the vision to succeed in Jamaica, and we are proud to be the team introducing that future to Jamaican drivers.”

Following the private launch on Wednesday night, the GWM showroom on South Camp Road is scheduled to open to the public on Thursday, June 4. From then, customers will be able to visit, inspect the full GWM range and arrange test drives.