Having watched arch rivals MG and BYD go blow-for-blow with models such as the MG4 and BYD Dolphin, Great Wall Motors has joined the fray with a knockout price.
The GWM Ora electric hatchback is Australia’s cheapest car, at least until March 31.
The Chinese brand has cut the drive-away price of 2023-plate Ora models by $4000, undercutting its rivals.
“There are some excellent deals on 2023-plated GWM vehicles at the moment, with discounts of up to $4000 off selected models,” says a GWM spokesman.
“The GWM Ora EV is one of those models, providing buyers the chance to get into a stylish, safe and highly-capable EV at an incredibly attractive price.”
The car now costs $37,044 drive-away in NSW, undercutting the BYD Dolphin ($41,190) and MG4 Electric ($41,736) by more than $4000.
Prices vary from state to state.
The discounted Ora’s drive-away price ranges from $36,638 in the ACT to $39,003 in Western Australia. It costs $36,656 in the NT, $37,550 in Queensland, $38,230 in South Australia and $38,247 in Tasmania. The price is even more attractive for buyers in Queensland, who can claim rebates of up to $6000 on the car.
Electric vehicle prices are falling as competition heats up. In 2022, the cheapest models – MG’s ZS EV and the BYD Atto 3 – cost about $45,000 drive-away.
This GWM costs a little more than half the asking price of Australia’s most popular EV, the Tesla Model Y, which starts from about $71,000 drive-away.
GWM’s modest hatchback delivers 310 kilometres of range from a 48kWh battery.
Key interior features include a 10.25-inch display with Apple CarPlay.
Buyers who want more can plump for extended range models with a 63kWh battery delivering up to 420 kilometres of range for about $43,000 drive-away.
The luxury Ora Ultra with massaging seats, panoramic sunroof and powered tailgate is about $46,000 drive-away and sporty Ora GT models with a performance-inspired body kit and red brake calipers are about $49,000 drive-away.
The model is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, along with five years of roadside assistance and capped price servicing.
