Russia and North America brace for Palasso and Wey 80 hybrids
Chinese automaker Oting has outlined plans to bring the Palasso to Russian showrooms in 2025, according to the brand’s press service. The Palasso is framed as a factory-built pickup with a fully enclosed cargo area, drawing on the Navara’s engineering lineage to deliver rugged utility with everyday practicality. The move marks a focused push to expand in Russia’s mid-size pickup segment, where buyers increasingly want a practical vehicle to handle work tasks and daily commutes. Source: Brand press service.
For the first time in the Russian market, a factory-built pickup with a closed-top cargo bed is being introduced, and Oting positions the Palasso around Navara-based technology to provide a proven platform. The Palasso relies on Navara-derived engineering to offer a balanced chassis and payload capability. Exterior dimensions measure 5277 mm in length, 1864 mm in width and 1989 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3150 mm. Cargo space is listed at 2150 liters, equating to roughly 75.5 cubic feet of storage for tools, equipment, or daily goods. Source: Brand press service.
Pricing and configurations will be announced as the sales launch approaches, with Russian deliveries anticipated in the first quarter of 2025. Industry observers will evaluate how the Palasso balances payload, ride quality, acoustic comfort, and cargo versatility against competing pickups in the segment. The timing suggests a careful, measured entry that emphasizes value and features aligned with local preferences. Source: Brand press service.
Great Wall Motor has previously announced plans to bring Wey 80 Hybrid minivan to Russia, signaling the automaker’s expansion into a new body style in the market. This move marks Wey’s first foray into this segment in Russia, aiming to attract families and business users with a roomy, comfortable cabin. The Wey 80 is offered in two trims: a six-seat Business Lounge with an extended body and a seven-seat Premium, each designed to meet different space needs and comfort preferences. The powertrain combines a 1.5-liter turbo engine producing 152 horsepower with two electric motors rated at 95 horsepower each, and all-wheel drive will be available to improve traction on varying road conditions. Source: Brand press service.
The interior options of the Wey 80 underscore a focus on passenger comfort and modern connectivity. Highlights include seats with a zero gravity function for extended comfort on long journeys, a dedicated winter package for harsher climates, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, and a 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen. Together these features create an inviting, tech-forward cockpit designed to appeal to family buyers as well as those who value convenient steering and visibility while driving in snowy or icy conditions. Source: Brand press service.
Earlier industry updates noted that Lexus LX has entered its first hybrid generation, illustrating a broader trend toward electrified propulsion in the premium SUV class. This development signals ongoing shifts in consumer expectations across major markets, including North America, where buyers increasingly seek efficiency without compromising luxury and capability. Source: Industry brief.
In North American markets, automakers are watching how new pickups and multi-purpose vans combine cargo space with passenger comfort. The Palasso and Wey 80 case studies highlight how brands adapt Asia-derived models for diverse regulatory environments and consumer tastes, maintaining core utility while tuning interiors for local climate and road conditions. These introductions reflect a broader push toward versatile vehicles that serve work, family life, and daily errands across Canada and the United States. Source: Market analysis.
As more brands experiment with hybrid and enclosed-bed configurations, drivers in Canada and the United States can expect more options that merge practicality with updated technology. The ongoing shifts in design philosophy emphasize safety, connectivity, and value, reinforcing the idea that utility vehicles now also deliver comfort, efficiency, and everyday practicality for a broad range of buyers. Source: Economic review.