GWM Ora 03: The New Name for Ora Funky Cat as Great Wall Motor Rebrands
GWM Ora 03 is the new name for Ora Funky Cat.
Great Wall Motor (GWM), the Chinese company, is taking steps to enhance its brand reputation in the European market by implementing a simpler naming strategy for its Ora and Wey cars. As part of this initiative, the Ora Funky Cat electric supermini has been rebranded as the GWM Ora 03.
The Funky Cat, which was introduced in Europe in late 2022 as the flagship vehicle for GWM’s fashion-focused EV brand Ora, is being launched alongside the hybrid-focused sibling brand Wey, known for its Coffee 01 and Coffee 02 SUVs.
Under the new ‘One GWM’ initiative, both brands will be phased out, and their cars will be sold under a single ‘master brand.’ This move demonstrates GWM’s commitment to establishing a more cohesive and recognizable global presence, particularly in the European market.
The Funky Cat will now be known as the GWM Ora 03, with GWM representing the manufacturer and Ora 03 as the model name. Similarly, the Wey Coffee 01 will become the GWM Wey 05, and the Wey Coffee 02 will be renamed the GWM Wey 03.
The Ora Lightning Cat saloon, also known as the Good Cat, Next Cat, and Ballet Cat, which is confirmed for release in the UK in 2024, will now be called the GWM Ora 07.
GWM stated that this rebranding approach will increase the visibility of the Chinese automaker and enable GWM’s partners to implement a more synergistic and efficient commercial approach from distribution to the dealer level.
The Ora rebranding will take effect in the UK starting January, coinciding with the arrival of the first shipment of 03-badged cars. These cars will now be available with a choice of 45kWh and 59kWh batteries. Until then, the car will continue to be referred to as the Funky Cat, and GWM has assured Autocar that there will be no immediate changes to retailer branding and marketing activities.
In 2024, the Wey 03 (previously known as the Coffee 02) will be launched in select European markets, followed by at least one more model the following year.
GWM emphasized that Wey and Ora will remain separate brands but will share common features found in all GWM models, including high-end technology such as advanced driving assistants, exceptional design, outstanding interior material quality and NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness), long-lasting quality, and uncompromising safety with several five-star ratings from Euro NCAP crash tests.
GWM believes that its rebranding efforts will simplify customers’ experiences and make them even more enjoyable. Additionally, the company suggests that the resale value of its cars will increase as a result of the rebranding.