From GM to GWM: Ora EV switching to factory that used to build Holdens
The GWM Ora will be the first vehicle sold by the Chinese automaker in Australia to be sourced from Thailand.
The Rayong plant in Thailand – which previously produced the Holden Colorado and Trailblazer for our market, before General Motors sold to GWM in 2020 – currently manufactures not only the Ora electric hatch, but also the Haval H6 mid-size SUV and Tank 300 off-road SUV.
However, only the GWM Ora has been confirmed to be switching to Thai sourcing for the Australian market.
The company confirmed the move after the Ora appeared in Australian Government certification documents with a different Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
A GWM Australia spokesperson confirmed the move is due to the Thai plant having production capacity available, and placing a greater focus on right-hand drive production.
The Thai market is right-hand drive like ours, though GWM also builds left-hand drive vehicles at the Rayong plant for Brazil.
GWM upgraded the plant and started production there in 2021, and it has capacity to produce 80,000 vehicles annually. The Ora entered production there in 2024.
It's not the only Chinese automaker to establish a production facility in Thailand, with BYD, MG and GAC also producing vehicles there. However, none of these auto manufacturers export Thai-built vehicles to our market. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Thai-built Oras are expected to arrive in Australia during the third quarter (July to September) of 2025, and the switch in production could correspond with updates for the small electric hatch – though GWM is staying mum for now on any potential pricing or specification changes.
That includes whether the lineup will be adjusted, though the approval documents list Lux, Ultra and GT variants.
Currently, the Ora lineup comprises Standard Range, Extended Range, and Extended Range GT variants. The first two feature the same level of specification, but differ in terms of battery size.
There was previously an Ultra variant, which built on the Extended Range with some additional niceties like heated, ventilated and massaging front seats and a panoramic sunroof, but it was axed for 2024. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Given Australia has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Thailand, as it does with China, pricing won't necessarily be affected simply by the change in production sourcing.
However, the updated 2025 Ora revealed in China – pictured above – features some specification upgrades, including a larger new 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system replacing the old 10.25-inch unit.
The gear shifter has been moved to the steering column, and there's also a revised centre console.
The updated Ora also brings vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability, allowing electrical appliances to be powered by the vehicle's battery.
While the Ora is outsold by its key rivals, GWM Australia has said it's not looking to walk away from the model. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
To the end of May, GWM has sold 271 Oras in Australia this year, against 2017 MG 4s and 776 BYD Dolphins.
While MG and BYD also offer a wide range of EVs in Australia and even more in China, GWM has a much smaller reserve of EVs to tap as the company has chosen to put a greater focus on hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.
All of GWM's EVs fall under the Ora brand, and just one of these – the Good Cat, varyingly known as the 03 and Funky Cat in other markets – is sold here as simply the GWM Ora.
Notably, the Ora brand has no SUVs despite significant and growing demand for this body style worldwide. Besides the Good Cat, GWM also has the retro Ballet Cat hatchback and the Lightning Cat sedan.
MORE: Everything GWM Ora
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