Ex-Holden plant to stop building GWM Ora electric hatch for Australia

The future of the GWM Ora electric hatchback is in doubt after the automaker announced it will no longer be made in Thailand – the source of Australian-market vehicles – which has switched to production of the Australia-bound Ora 5 electric SUV expected here later this year.

The small Ora hatchback – launched locally in 2023 as a rival to the BYD Dolphin and MG 4 – was initially shipped from China before production moved to Thailand in mid-2025.

The sourcing switch saw the former General Motors (GM) plant – which previously built the Holden Colorado and Trailblazer for Australia – become the primary global production source for the Ora, known as the ‘Good Cat’ in China, exporting to Europe and the United Kingdom.

While the company hasn’t officially confirmed if it has stopped Chinese production, the end of Thai Ora Good Cat production appears to signal the beginning of the end for the electric hatch globally.

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“At this stage, we have no information to share regarding the decision to discontinue the Ora Good Cat,” a GWM Australia spokesperson told CarExpert when asked about the model’s future.

The Ora was first launched in China in 2020, making it long in the tooth despite its later arrival in other markets.

Just 763 Oras were sold in Australia last year, down 37.7 per cent on its 1225-unit result in 2024, despite GWM posting a record year as the best-selling Chinese brand in Australia in 2025.

In addition to Australia and New Zealand, the Thai plant also supplied the Ora to Brazil. However, in August 2025 GWM opened a new plant in São Paulo, Brazil to build electric vehicles, though the Ora is not officially confirmed as part of its production lineup.

The first vehicle to roll off the São Paulo production line – a former Mercedes-Benz facility – was the GWM Haval H6 GT.

The expected replacement for the Ora in Australia is the Ora 5 (pictured above), which was unveiled in China in September 2025 with the same cutesy design as the Good Cat, including its round headlights, familiar window-frame shape and a curvy silhouette.

Measuring 4.4 metres long – compared with the Good Cat’s 4.2 metres – the Ora 5 features a 150kW electric motor and a claimed driving range of up to 580km (CLTC).

According to Car News China, GWM will also introduce hybrid, plug-in hybrid and petrol versions, though not all powertrains will be offered in every overseas market.

While not yet officially locked in for Australia, John Kett – GWM Australia’s chief operating officer – told CarExpert at an event in 2025 the new SUV is effectively a certainty for local dealers.

“We obviously have Ora sitting in the small car segment. In the small SUV segment, we will certainly have an Ora small SUV next year,” Mr Kett said, without specifically naming the Ora 5.

The expansion of the Ora lineup in Australia could also include the Ora Sport (above) – a potential Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal alternative – as GWM looks to become a top-five best-selling brand by 2027.

GWM was one of the auto brands that grew the most in Australia in 2025, finishing seventh overall. MORE: Explore the GWM Ora showroom