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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au

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BYD Atto 2 and Flagship Sealion 8 Set to Shake Up Australia

Man of Many

3 hours ago

Man of Many

BYD Atto 2 and Flagship Sealion 8 Set to Shake Up Australia

By Somnath Chatterjee - News Published: 19 June 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 5 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Chinese automaker BYD has confirmed that the Atto 2 compact vehicle and the flagship Sealion 8 will be arriving in Australia. and the will be arriving in Australia. The Atto 2 will slot in between the Dolphin and the Atto 3, with expected pricing to be sub-$35,000 . . Sealion 8 PHEV will serve as BYD's new three-row flagship SUV . . Both launches are scheduled in the next few months, with the Atto 2 to arrive first. It is no secret that BYD plans to dominate the Australian automotive market. Over the past few years, the Chinese automaker has steadily rolled out new budget-conscious models, surprisingly spacious lifestyle vehicles and a flagship release or two, but in 2025, BYD is stepping up its game. After moving from a private distributor to an in-house model, the brand is aggressively expanding its Australian presence, starting with the newly unveiled Atto 2 and Sealion 8. Both new vehicles, which operate on separate ends of the BYD spectrum, represent lucrative product launches for the ever-expanding BYD clientele. Better still, both new vehicles are expected to land Down Under in the 'next few months', meaning the rest of the industry better watch out. BYD Atto 2 confirmed for Australia | Image: BYD Automotive BYD Atto 2 As the brand's latest small SUV, the Atto 2 promises to further democratise EVs for Australian consumers, namely through price and convenience. The small but conservatively styled vehicle represents BYD's new entry-level crossover for the Australian market and essentially uses the same underpinnings as the Dolphin, albeit in a more universally appealing SUV body style. Two trims will be available from launch, Essential and Premium, both of which utilise a front motor with an output of 130kW/290Nm. BYD has noted a claimed range of 401km with a 51.3 kWh LFP battery; however, you can expect a more realistic figure of 300km on the WLTP test. BYD Atto 2 interior | Image: BYD Automotive Features Impressively, while the Atto 2 might be BYD's entry-level SUV, the feature list is far from bare-bones. According to Wing You, BYD Australia general manager, the new vehicle will arrive with staple brand additions such as a 12.8-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera, and ADAS. 'With its exciting looks, superlative technology, and eminent versatility, the Atto 2 promises to be a game-changer in the small-size SUV segment,' Wing You said. 'The Atto family of vehicles is expanding in Australia, and we're confident this latest addition will be well received by local buyers.' Atto 2 Pricing While BYD has not officially confirmed the pricing, the expectation is that the new small SUV will be a step up from the $29,990 Dolphin. That being said, it could quite easily take the title of being the most affordable Chinese SUV by undercutting the likes of the Chery E5 ($39,990 before on-road costs) and the MG S5 (costing $40,490). In other words, it could be the most popular BYD SUV by occupying the sweet spot between the Dolphin and the Atto 3. BYD Sealion 8 confirmed for Australia | Image: BYD Automotive BYD Sealion 8 Meanwhile, BYD continues to enter the premium luxury segment with its largest product yet, while also ticking the box for a three-row SUV. The massive Sealion 8 is a plug-in hybrid SUV with a 110kW, 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that comes with either a front wheel drive configuration in the DM-i (Intelligence) hybrid trim with a 200kw electric motor plus a 19kW battery or the all-wheel drive DM-p (Performance) hybrid variant which adds a second 141kW motor at the rear axle while having a larger 35.6kWh battery. With a bigger battery pack than the Shark Ute, expect the pure electric range to surpass the pick-up at more than 100km. BYD Sealion 8 Performance In terms of performance, the large Sealion 8 DM-p has plenty of firepower with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds, which is remarkably close to the smaller Sealion 7. The interiors, meanwhile, are plush, and you need not have to get these eccentric leather colours, but the cabin would be decked out with massage, heated and cooled seats for both the front and second row. It will also be the most cavernous BYD with a large storage capacity. Expect the pricing of the Sealion 8 to be north of $80,000 when it goes on sale here, and that means it will fight head-on with the Kia Sorento PHEV. BYD Sealion 8 interior | Image: BYD Automotive 'We've listened to our customers. We know the desire is here for a proper full-size, seven-seater PHEV SUV,' Wing You, BYD Australia general manager said. 'We're incredibly proud of what the SEALION 8 will represent for BYD in Australia. It's going to be a flagship model for us, and, in classic BYD fashion, it will exceed the consumers' expectations for tech, luxury, and value.' The Atto 2 will come towards the end of the year and the Sealion 8 will be launched by early next year while the launches will not stop there either as BYD looks to fill in all the gaps in its product range by introducing an even smaller car below the Dolphin which is the Seagull or Dolphin Mini. Plus, off-road fans would rejoice at the prospect of the Denza sub-brand, which brings an array of rugged SUVs. It seems BYD wants to clearly increase its market share in Australia over the next few years and will not stop until it does so. BYD Atto 2 confirmed for Australia | Image: BYD Automotive