Holden Colorado replaced by Chinese electric car on Thai production line

China’s Great Wall Motor (GWM) has started production of its Ora electric vehicle (EV) at a factory in Rayong, Thailand that was previously owned by General Motors (GM).

This is significant for the Chinese carmaker as it claims the GWM Ora is the first “mass-produced” EV from a Chinese carmaker manufactured outside of China. The GWM Ora will continue to be produced in China as well.

CarExpert understands Australian versions of the GWM Ora will continue to be sourced from China, but given the Chinese carmaker is now producing EVs in Thailand this could open up the possibility of Thai-sourced models for our market in the future.

As it currently stands all GWM models sold in Australia are sourced from China.

The Rayong, Thailand plant previously manufactured the Holden Colorado and Trailblazer (née Colorado 7) before GM sold it to GWM in 2020. It has since been upgraded by its new owner.

In 2021 GWM started producing the H6 Hybrid at the Rayong plant. Like the Ora however, Australian-market H6 Hybrid models are currently sourced from China.

As recently reported, the GWM Ora is now the most affordable EV in Australia thanks to a limited-time discount.

GWM Australia is currently offering a $4000 discount on all model year 2023 Ora variants that are ordered and delivered before March 31st.

This means the entry-level Ora Standard Range has reclaimed the title of the cheapest EV in Australia for a short period of time, after losing it to the MG 4 in mid-2023 and then later the BYD Dolphin.

MORE: Everything GWM Ora