The head of GWM SA says the Chinese firm “has a plan” to relaunch its Ora electric vehicle sub-brand locally in 2026 and “be more aggressive” in the EV market…
- GWM SA to relaunch Ora EV sub-brand next year
- Local COO says competition in EV space is “fierce”
- New Ora 5 crossover recently revealed in China
The head of GWM South Africa says the company plans to relaunch its Ora fully electric sub-brand in 2026 with the intention of being “more aggressive” in the segment.
Conrad Groenewald, Chief Operating Officer of GWM South Africa, was speaking during a wide-ranging interview conducted in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s South African Auto Week 2025 in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape at the start of October.
The Chinese firm entered the local electric vehicle (EV) space back in November 2023 with the introduction of the Ora 03 hatchback. It launched at a starting price of R686 950 – interestingly, a figure that has yet to be increased – making it Mzansi’s most affordable EV at the time.
“We were the cheapest EV at that point in time [when the Ora launched late in 2023]. Competition is fierce. Global policies are driving EV investments, specifically from China. BYD came in and have taken the spot of the most affordable EV in South Africa at the moment,” Groenewald said, referring to the recently launched BYD Dolphin Surf, which starts at R339 900.
“So, we have not quite seen the traction on the Ora that we wanted. But we have a plan – we have a plan [for] next year [2026] to relaunch the Ora brand and be more aggressive in that space,” Groenewald divulged.
Local sales of the battery-powered Ora 03 have been slow, with just 18 units registered in 2023 and 43 examples sold in 2024. Facing increased competition at the lower end of South Africa’s EV market, sales of the Ora 03 over the opening 10 months of 2025 have crept to just 18 units.
Though Groenewald didn’t go into further detail regarding GWM South Africa’s plans to relaunch the Ora sub-brand, his counterpart in Australia – a fellow right-hand-drive market closely aligned to ours – recently confirmed plans to offer “an Ora small SUV” Down Under in 2026.
GWM Australia Chief Operating Officer, John Kett, told Australian media, including CarExpert: “We obviously have Ora sitting in the small-car segment. In the small SUV segment, we will certainly have an Ora small SUV next year [2026],” adding that the company is “still considering a mid-size SUV coming out of the Ora line-up”.
It’s thought the “small SUV” to which Kett is referring is a model recently revealed in China. Set to be badged as the “Ora 5” in its domestic market, the newcomer – which is slightly longer than the BYD Atto 3 at 4 471 mm – will likely be offered in front-wheel-drive 150 kW form in the world’s 2nd most populous nation.
What about the “mid-size SUV” Kett mentioned? Well, such a model has yet to be unveiled. For the record, in China, where the Ora 03 is known as the “Good Cat”, GWM also offers the “Ballet Cat” mid-size hatchback (which bears more than a passing resemble to the Type 1 Volkswagen Beetle) and the “Lightning Cat” mid-size fastback sedan (which we sampled in Australia in early 2023).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When does GWM SA plan to relaunch the Ora EV sub-brand?
A: GWM South Africa plans to relaunch the Ora sub-brand in 2026 with the intention of being “more aggressive” in the electric vehicle (EV) market, according to its COO.
Q: Why is GWM SA planning a relaunch of the Ora brand?
A: GWM SA’s COO, Conrad Groenewald, stated that they “have not quite seen the traction on the Ora that we wanted” since its initial launch. Increased competition has seemingly impacted sales, necessitating a relaunch plan for 2026.
Q: Which new Ora models might be considered for the South African market?
A: While GWM SA did not give specifics, GWM Australia has confirmed plans to offer an “Ora small SUV” in 2026. This is thought to be the model recently revealed in China, known domestically as the Ora 5. A “mid-size SUV” is also being considered for the Australian market.
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