Lord Sugar hasn't purchased China's national landmark and is not having it shipped brick by brick to the UK; Great Wall is a Chinese motor manufacturer that is set to be the first to enter the UK market when it launches the Steed pick-up truck.

Described as a 'a robust and highly practical pick-up, equally adept as a workhorse or a weekend getaway vehicle', the Steed looks set to take the fight to established players in the market like the Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok with prices starting from just £13,998 for the entry-level Steed S rising to £15,998 for the SE trim.

For your money Great Wall will offer an impressive standard specification with the Steed S fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, remote central locking, electric front and rear windows, an Alpine CD/radio with USB/MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, air conditioning, heated fronted seats and a full leather interior. Range topping SE trim adds body-coloured hard-top canopy, body-coloured spoiler, chrome trim to the daytime running lights, chrome side bars, black roof rails, load bay liner, and rear parking sensors.

Powering the double-cab Steed will be a 2.0-litre diesel unit that is mated to a low-range gearbox and an on-demand four-wheel drive system. No word on power output but Great Wall does say that the Steed is capable of returning 34mpg on the combined cycle.

The Great Wall Steed will make its UK debut later this month at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham and will be available to buy from a newly-appointed nationwide network of 40 dealerships. More details are available at www.greatwallmotor.co.uk.

Paul Healy - 18 Apr 2012