Paris Motor show: GWM makes global EV dominance move

If you still haven’t realised the car industry is on the threshold of a monumental change, then Great Wall Motors’ announcement of its intention to release 50 EVs by 2025 at the Paris Motor Show should rectify that.

The bold plans were announced at the Paris motor show in front of a backdrop of GWM’s upcoming electric vehicles - the Next Ora Cat, the Wey Coffee 01 and Wey Coffee 02.

The Next Ora Cat is a fully electric four-door coupe and a rival to the Tesla Model 3. GWM says the Next Ora Cat has an 83.5kWh battery, a range of 430km and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.3 seconds.

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Coffee 01 is a large SUV while Coffee 02 is mid-sized - both are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Will the Coffee twins make it to Australia? It’s unlikely, but the Next Ora Cat could well be headed this way. 

GWM is growing its brand at lightning pace in Australia with as many as eight new electric vehicles expected to land here before the end of next year.

GWM Haval’s head of marketing and communications Steve Maciver says the Paris motor show announcement shows the brand’s commitment to an electric vehicle future.

“The announcement out of Paris that GWM will launch 50 NEVs by 2025 is significant and demonstrates the brand’s focus on developing the best possible products using the latest technology,” he says.

“It’s too early at this stage to confirm how many of these new models we’ll see in Australia but what is certain is that the GWM range both here and overseas is on the cusp of huge growth.”

The Next Ora Cat is a fully electric four-door coupe.

Great Wall Motors (GWM) announced its ambitious plan on the opening day of the motor show with the Chinese company’s head of European markets Henry Meng saying the move signalled GWM’s intentions to become a world leader in what he called the “new energy space”.

“This year’s slogan ‘Revolution is On’ embodies much of what GWM also stands for: Premium vehicles that enable a new, self-determined lifestyle with intelligent technology.

“In 2023, we will complete our first zero-carbon emission factory. By 2025, we will launch more than 50 new energy models. Currently, we are already testing our first hydrogen vehicles, powered by fuel cells.

“We are also supporting the use of renewable and clean energy wherever possible by introducing solar charging stations to the markets. In addition, we are reusing and recycling residual heat and energy and taking advantage of recycled water.

The Coffee 01 is a large SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

“We are looking not only for economic benefits but also to make a sustainable future for our employees and customers. Because climate change is something we all must work to stop. Together,” he said.

GWM currently sells two models in Australia under its Haval SUV banner - the Jolion and H6 - as well as offering the GWM Ute.

As reported, GWM will launch more SUVs under Haval, including the Tank 300 and 500, as well as the Ora EV brand.