GWM ORA, the electric vehicle (EV) arm of China’s Great Wall Motors, is taking a big step towards sustainability in the UK with the launch of a new battery assessment and refurbishment programme. This initiative aims to significantly reduce unnecessary battery waste caused by minor accidents or lack of proper repair knowledge.
The program features a dedicated team of mobile battery inspectors who will assess the condition of an EV’s battery pack after a collision or reported incident. These in-house technical experts will evaluate the battery’s safety and repairability, providing valuable guidance to both GWM ORA aftersales operations and third-party repairers across the UK.
This focus on battery evaluation and refurbishment stems from GWM ORA’s desire to minimize battery wastage due to minor accidents that might only cause cosmetic damage to the vehicle. By offering a comprehensive assessment and repair service, GWM ORA hopes to extend the lifespan of batteries and reduce their environmental impact.
The program leverages the extensive network of GWM ORA’s established UK distributor partner, International Motors Limited (IML). IML’s infrastructure, including workshops, logistics centers, and field-based technical teams spread across the UK, provides the ideal foundation for the swift rollout of this new initiative. Customers can now access the battery assessment and refurbishment program through the GWM ORA UK aftersales team.
“Launching a new brand in the UK is a challenge,” said Toby Marshall, Managing Director of GWM ORA UK. “However, our association with International Motors’ infrastructure has significantly eased the process. We benefit from their expertise in parts stocking, logistics, technical knowledge, and other crucial resources. By leveraging this infrastructure, we can take further steps to support our stakeholders, like this new battery initiative.”
GWM ORA’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the new battery program. The brand’s first model, the ORA 03, achieved a stellar performance in the Green NCAP independent testing program earlier this year. This program measures a car’s efficiency and environmental impact. With an impressive average score of 97%, the ORA 03 comfortably secured a 5-star Green rating and emerged victorious in both the “Small Family Car” and “Full Electric Car” categories.
GWM ORA currently offers two variants of the ORA 03 (formerly known as the Funky Cat) in the UK: the PURE+ and PRO+. Both models recently received updated naming conventions as part of a wider brand strategy refresh. The ORA 03 PURE+ starts at a lease price of just £239 per month and boasts a generous standard specification list that includes a 48kWh battery with a 193-mile WLTP range, wireless phone charging, facial recognition, electric front seats, app integration, and the intelligent voice assistant “Hello ORA.”
For an enhanced driving experience, customers can opt for the ORA 03 PRO+. This variant features a larger 63kWh battery offering a 260-mile WLTP range and boasts additional comfort features like heated, cooled, and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, a powered gesture tailgate, rear privacy glass, and advanced automatic parking assistance. The ORA 03 PRO+ starts at a lease price of £275 per month.
GWM ORA has achieved a significant sales milestone in the UK, surpassing the 1,000-vehicle mark within just one year of operation. The brand has also made significant strides in expanding its retail network, establishing partnerships with 18 trusted retailers throughout 2023. This commitment to infrastructure development, customer service, and environmental responsibility positions GWM ORA as a strong contender in the ever-growing UK EV market.
