South Africa’s newest vehicle brand has quickly established itself as the country’s top choice for value.
At the inaugural TopGear South Africa Awards, the GWM ORA 03 was honored as the Bargain of the Year by Top Gear South Africa. The event, held last week at the luxurious Steyn City Helistop in Johannesburg, saw representatives from across the automotive industry in attendance, with 24 awards presented to various vehicle brands and industry representatives.
“It was a pleasant surprise to receive the Bargain of the Year award,” says Bianca van Staden, Head of Marketing for GWM South Africa and its all-electric sub-brand, ORA. “This recognition is fantastic for the GWM ORA team, who have worked tirelessly over the past year to introduce this all-electric brand at the best possible price.”
The GWM ORA 03, introduced to South Africa in November of this year, immediately claimed the title of South Africa’s most affordable electric vehicle. Not only does it offer the best entry price, but it also boasts a range nearly double that of its closest competitor.
“With ORA, the engineers at GWM had a completely blank slate. They redesigned the vehicle to offer not only the best possible purchase price but also to deliver a great driving experience, the best range in its class, and a host of features,” explains van Staden.
This winning combination of impressive range, performance, and affordability caught the attention of the TopGear judges who selected the ORA from among thousands of other models and ranges on the South African market.
“While the GWM ORA may not be the most affordable vehicle in South Africa, it is certainly the most affordable EV. Its introduction has significantly shifted the market for EVs, making this new technology accessible to many more South African motorists,” adds Avon Middleton, Publishing Partner of Top Gear South Africa.
The acclaim received by Middleton and his team echoes that of esteemed publications worldwide.
In the United Kingdom, a notoriously demanding market, the ORA was named the Which? Car Best Buy in the Medium-sized Car Category. Judges praised the ORA for not only being the most affordable EV on the market but also for introducing a range of safety and luxury features previously unseen in this segment.
Continuing in Europe, the ORA was awarded the title of safest five-star rated car in its class by the European New Car Assessment Programme. This accolade is particularly significant as ENCAP is widely regarded as the strictest crash test award of its kind globally, applying rigorous battery safety tests to electric vehicles.
A few months later, the GWM ORA 03 won the Green NCAP Life Cycle Assessment Award in Europe. This award evaluates the environmental impact of a vehicle from its design and manufacturing stage through its useful life cycle and eventual recycling. Out of the four vehicles awarded a five-star rating, the GWM ORA 03 was certified for its low environmental impact and responsible engineering, considering its carbon footprint and environmental impact at every stage of its life cycle.
Considering a rate of around R3.50 per kWh for AC home charging, it will cost an owner approximately R170 to R250 to fully charge their GWM ORA 03. Using DC fast charging at a rate of R5.00 to R5.80 per kWh, the cost for a full charge will be around R250 to R300.
“Many of these awards are typically given to more established and far more expensive electric vehicles. For the GWM ORA 03 to win recognition for its engineering, environmentally friendly design, and value for money, while being the most affordable electric vehicle on the market, is an achievement of which we are extremely proud,” says van Staden.
The GWM ORA 03 is available in South Africa starting from R686,950. There are four models available, starting with the ORA 03 Super Luxury. All models come with a GMW connectiveCARE charging system for easy at-home charging, a 7-year/200,000 km vehicle warranty, and an even more impressive 8-year/150,000 km warranty on high-voltage parts. Additionally, all models, regardless of price, include a full 7-year/105,000 km service plan and an unlimited kilometer/7-year roadside assistance plan.
