Ora Good Cat trademarked in Australia with new EV set to be the country’s cheapest electric vehicle
The Ora Good Cat name has been trademarked in Australia, in a sure-fire sign GWM is primed to introduced what could well be the country’s cheapest electric vehicle.
The trademark application follows word from Great Wall Motor’s Chinese HQ last year that Australia would soon be home to the brand’s electric vehicle line-up, with the Good Cat expected to lead the charge (so to speak).
GWM’s Australian management has even suggested the brand would target a circa-$40k starting price for the city EV, which would undercut even the cheapest electric vehicle currently on offer in this market. That title currently belongs to the MG ZS EV, which can be had for $44,990 drive-away.
And the price could be even lower, depending on where you live and what subsidies are on offer. In NSW, for example, a $3000 subsidy exists for the first 25,000 EVs priced under $68,750 sold from September 1, 2021, along with a stamp duty waiver.
That would bring the asking price of the Good Cat down to around $35,000 – possibly lower – if GWM can meet its or beat its price target.
Of course, there’s intense competition brewing at the bottom end of the EV market.
Rival Chinese brand BYD is gearing up for a 2022 Australian launch with the Yuan Plus SUV, EA1 hatchback and Tesla-fighting Han sedan, as well as a range of BYD models that are expected to shake up the value end of the electric car market.
A major update to the MG ZS EV is also due within months and the fast-growing brand will no doubt be keen to maintain its position at the entry-level end of the EV market.
Ora is China’s budget-friendly EV brand, which launched in 2018, and has since produced a number of feline-based models in its home market. Almost 70,000 were sold in China in the first six months of 2021.
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.
Well let’s see if it the base model Ora cat goes on sale here for 40 grand or lower because in the UK its 25,000 pounds qhich is more like $47,245 Australia dollars.
I doubt the Ora Cat brand will be able to undercut the BYD Yuan Plus or Dolphin and still make a profit.
BYD make their own Blade batteries and don’t have physical dealerships so these savings are passed onto the buyer.
Agree with you Peter re BYD capability and cost competitiveness due to no dealership model but Ora Lightning Cat looks interesting. As with all mooted EVs coming to Australia, how much supply will be available. If BYDs Australian distributor Nexport actually has a “dedicated” BYD production line as claimed, BYD/Nexport could have big supply advantage. I’m very keen on the Han!
The good cat sells for 25,000 pounds in the UK for the base model so under 40 grand in Australia seems unrealistic when you convert the UK price to Australia dollars its $47,267.38