Ora EV Australian debut slowed by global shortages
Ongoing global supply challenges are slowing plans for the launch of the Chinese Ora electric vehicle brand in Australia.
Ora was announced back in December by global parent GWM (Great Wall Motors) as coming to Australia along with the Tank 4×4 brand.
GWM already has a growing presence in Australia through the GWM Ute and Haval SUV brands.
GWM Australia had hoped to outline publicly its plans for Ora as far back and February, but that target has proved to be optimistic.
READ MORE: Ora Good Cat trademarked, set to be the country’s cheapest electric vehicle
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“Ora remains under very strong consideration for Australia,” confirmed Steve Maciver the marketing and communications chief of GWM Australia.
“We don’t yet have a decision in terms of launch time or which model we will choose to launch with.
“But rest assured we are looking at it and we do believe the time is right to start brining GWM and Ora EVs to the market.
“Hopefully we will have a decision on that in the not too distant future.”
The Ora Good Cat small hatch has been the focus of local attention and has been expected to be the launch model here.
The initial suggestion were it could become the cheapest EV on sale in Australia, but that now seems unlikely, with pricing more likely to hover around the $50,000 mark.
That would place it in competition with fellow Chinese rivals the BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS EV and potentially, entry-level Cupra Born models.
Other potential Ora models include the Ballet Cat, a Volkswagen Beetle look-a-like, and Big Cat SUV and Lightning sports car that have been previewed as concepts.
“We are keeping our options open,” said Maciver. “Until we have the program and the launch signed off … we can’t definitively say.”
When it does arrive in Australia, the line-up will bear the GWM Ora brand rather than simply be Ora on its own.
Beyond Ora, GWM also has an EV version of its Poer Ute that it could add to its local line-up and a variety of hybrids.
Global battery shortages are contributing to supply challenges and cost blowouts, on top of the various supply and transport issues that are driving up pricing for all new vehicles.
The Good Cat measures 4235mm in length, 1825mm in width and 1596mm in height, and it rides on a wheelbase of 2650mm.
It’s powered by single motor that drives the front wheels, which produces 105kW and 210Nm – allowing for a 0-50km/h of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 150km/h. In the UK, it’s offered with two battery pack options, 48kWh or 63kWh, delivering a driving range of between 336km and 420km on the WLTP cycle.
But perhaps most impressive if the vaguely retro-styled Good Cat’s cabin, home to a giant digital display that controls both car functions and infotainment.
Maciver was hopeful the supply situation would become clearer within months and remained bullish about prospects for EVs in Australia.
“I think EV sales to this point in Australia have been held back for a number of reasons; there have been concerns about technology and range and things like, but I think customers have become more educated,” he said.
“Also, EVs are becoming more affordable. Maybe not as affordable as an internal combustion vehicle but people are looking at the price of fuel and beginning to understand the trade-off in paying that premium for an EV where they may not have seen that previously.
“There is also a wider range of brands offering products today than there might have been even 18 months ago. When customers have ore choice they are more likely to head to a particular part of the market.
“It is going to take quite a few years for EV sales to get anywhere near where internal combustion sales are at but I think we will see increases pretty quickly from thus year.”
