The Ora Lightning Cat electric liftback from Great Wall Motor (GWM) has hit the Thai market. It has up to 408 hp, 640 km range, and a starting price of 1,299,000 baht (36,870 USD). Thailand is the first overseas market of the 07, AKA Lightning Cat. In 2024, this EV will also hit European markets under the “One GWM” strategy.
Briefly on Ora Lightning Cat / Ora 07
Ora Lighting Cat was first unveiled in China in 2021. In the same year, GWM presented Ora at the Munich Auto Show. Many automotive enthusiasts have immediately pointed out it has some strong Porsche Panamera vibes. They wondered if the Lightning Cat would really make it to the market. But this EV was launched in 2022. Currently, it is a flagship model in the Ora’s lineup.
The Lightning Cat is a mid-size liftback with a cute design language. It has a smooth body shape and small round headlights. This “cat” also has a sleek roofline and retractable door handles. Its dimensions are 4871/1862/1500 mm with a wheelbase of 2870 mm.
The Lightning Cat has a landscape-oriented 12.3-inch touchscreen in the center console. It also has a round three-spoke steering wheel with a digital instrument panel comprising three elements. The center tunnel of this liftback has some physical buttons and knobs. It also has 11 speakers inside.
The Ora Lightning Cat for the domestic market has several powertrain options:
- FWD, 204 hp, 340 Nm, 64.3-kWh LFP battery, 555 km CLTC range
- FWD, 204 hp, 340 Nm, 83.5-kWh ternary (NMC) battery, 705 km CLTC range
- 4WD, 408 hp, 680 Nm, 83.5-kWh ternary (NMC) battery, 600 km CLTC range
The Ora Lightning Cat’s price range in China is 189,800-272,800 yuan (26,770 – 38,470 USD). However, its sales volume is low. In the first ten months of 2023, Ora Lightning Cat sold 9,774 units at the local market. The main reason for the Lightning Cat’s failure in the domestic market is its market positioning. This sporty liftback just doesn’t fit the brand’s female-oriented strategy in China. This is why GWM launched it in Thailand as Ora 07 without the linkage to cats in its name.
Ora 07 in Thailand
The Ora 07’s official price for the Thai market was announced at the local Auto Show. For Thailand, GWM will make a right-hand-five version of this liftback. Moreover, GWM decided to bring only two trims of the Ora 07 with a ternary (NMC) battery for 83.5-kWh. Otherwise, it is similar to the Chinese Lightning Cat.
The entry-level Ora 07 is a Long Range model. It has an electric motor on the front axle for 204 hp and an NEDC range of 640 km per charge. Its price is 1,299,000 baht (36,870). For clarity, the entry-level BYD Seal with a smaller battery and a 204-hp e-motor on the rear axle costs 1,325,000 baht (37,610 USD) in Thailand. So, the Ora 07 has the advantage of being lower in price.
The second trim level of the Ora 07 has 408 horses and a 550 km NEDC range. Its price is 1,499,000 baht (42,560 USD). For comparison, the BYD Seal with 4WD, 530 hp, and 580 km range has a sticker price of 1,599,000 baht (43,390 USD). And the Ora 07 can’t handle this comparison. It has a slightly lower price tag but has 122 fewer horsepower.
As mentioned, Thailand is the first overseas market for the Ora 07. But later, this liftback will enter European and Latin American markets. We will watch its performance in the global market, so stay tuned!
Source: Weibo, 16888, Thailand Posten
