Budget 2026 GWM Ora EV hatch axed in Australia ahead of potential shake-up in battle against BYD Atto 1, GAC Aion UT and MG4 Urban

GWM will axe its Ora electric hatchback from sale in Australia - at least for now.

The Ora is GWM’s only EV currently on sale in Australia, with a starting price of $35,990 (drive-away). Up-spec models of the Ora start from $37,990 and $38,990, drive-away.

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There remains limited stock available on the outgoing Ora.

It has tried to keep price parity with other cheap EVs, including the BYD Dolphin, but more competition in the form of the GAC Aion UT and MG4 Urban will arrive soon.

The Ora comes with a single electric motor producing 125kW and 250Nm, with its 57.7kWh battery providing up to 400km of driving range.  

It now appears GWM has decided to shift focus to its new EV.

The Ora’s departure coincides with the arrival of the larger Ora 5 electric SUV, which will come in $2000 cheaper than the Ora, starting from $33,990 (drive-away). 

This might not be the last the we here of the Ora in Australia, with potential for the car to make a return in the near future.

GWM currently sells plug-less and plug-in hybrid versions of the Ora overseas and it could line up with plans to diversify the range.

"In terms of the levels of adoption that we expect to see within this market, within the coming years, we expect (hybrids) to accelerate more quickly," GWM Australia Head of Marketing and Communications Steve Maciver told CarsGuide late last year.

"We think we can do a lot more with Ora… with plug in hybrid, but EV will certainly come behind that as well, for sure."

It can be speculated the revamped Ora lineup in Australia could launch before the end of the year, and it would likely have fit under the $33,990 price tag of the Ora 5 SUV.

While the Ora 5 is the GWM’s only confirmed future EV, the brand will continue to bring across new plug-in hybrid models, such as on the rugged Tank 300 and Tank 500 off-roaders.

GWM is experiencing serious growth Down Under currently, with a near-enough 30 per cent month-on-month increase as per the latest numbers.