GWM Ora Funky Cat to be renamed Ora 03 as part of new brand strategy

Great Wall Motors (GWM) is to rename its fully-electric Ora Funky Cat to Ora 03 as part of a new strategic brand direction.

In the UK, this will see GWM Ora models adopt a new naming convention, using numbers instead of names: Funky Cat will become Ora 03, with additional models to follow the same approach.

The GWM Ora numerical naming convention is already used in markets such as South Africa, Australia, Singapore and the Philippines, with all European markets to adopt this approach from January 2024.

A vehicle’s allocated number will directly correlate with the size of the model, with lower numbers representing a smaller model within the GWM product line-up.

Physically, GWM Ora models will remain unchanged and the new naming convention will be reflected only in the brand’s marketing and communications.

This update also coincides with an amicable settlement of an opposition to the registration of the Funky Cat trademark in the UK market.

Toby Marshall, managing director of GWM Ora UK, said: “After one year of operations in the UK market, the GWM Ora UK team has made exceptional progress.

“This latest brand strategy update affirms GWM’s commitment to the European region and the UK market in particular, where Ora Funky Car has made a real statement already.”

GWM Ora currently has two models on sale in the UK, Funky Cat First Edition and the newly-launched First Edition+ which is limited to 50 units.

This is the brand’s second model to go on sale in the UK and offers a WLTP range of 260 miles from its 58kWh battery.

It has a MSRP of £33,795 and standard equipment includes heated, cooled and massage front seats, heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, automatic tailgate and automatic parking assistance.

GWM Ora is planning to launch a premium saloon – currently known as Next Cat but will be known as Ora 07 when it goes on sale – next year.

Last month, GWM Ora announced it had opened eight test drive centres across the UK, which will support its existing retail network.

The new sites will offer test drive, sales and service support for current and future GWM ORA models. This brings the total number of GWM ORA customer service points to 26.