Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motor debuts its new flagship EV under its new ORA brand: the ORA R1. The car delivers a maximum cruising range of 351km (218 miles) thanks to a 35kw (47hp) motor. All of this is available for between 59,800 and 77,800 Yuan ($8,680 to $11,293 USD), making it the world’s cheapest electric car. As a newcomer to the new energy vehicle market, the R1, based on China’s first proprietary electric vehicle (EV) platform, ME, revolutionizes China’s fuel-to-electricity, low-speed EV market and pioneers the innovations in the EV sector, signaling a new era for the country’s new energy vehicle market.
ORA R1 boasts several advantages over its peers in terms of exterior design, space, intelligence and safety and is referred to as the “world’s fifth boutique vehicle” by many industry insiders for its superb look, spaciousness, intelligent functions, enhanced safety and level of attention to quality. The new model is expected to lead the market with its proprietary EV platform and features.
The vehicle has five color options: titanium white, cadet blue, sky blue, combination titanium white and glitter black, and combination cadet blue and titanium white. The model is backed by a three-year or 120,000 km (74,500 miles) guarantee for the whole vehicle, and an eight-year or 150,000 km (93,200 miles) guarantee for core components.
Part of the cost-cutting appears to derive from Ora’s direct-to-customer sales model, which will eliminate dealerships from the chain, replacing them with “a network consisting of ORA Home, experience centers and smart outlets in the central business districts of Chinese cities,” according to Great Wall GM and Vice President Ning Shuyong.
The car is only available in China, but Great Wall Motor has previously shown interest and bringing its new ORA electric brand to the rest of the world.