GWM Ora grows retail network with 16 EV dealer partners

GWM Ora said its dealer network growth has exceeded the Chinese EV brand’s own targets, with 16 retail partners appointed in under one year of operations, a majority of which are  AM100 groups.

In November, GWM Ora UK added three more franchised partners to its network: Marriott Motor Group, Westaway Motors and FG Barnes, who will launch full sales and aftersales sites in Guildford, Northampton and Bury St Edmunds. These latest appointments bring the GWM Ora retail network to a total of 30 customer service sites across the UK.

Last year the company, part of IM Group, told AM it aimed for 16 outlets by the end of 2023.

The EV brand recently announced the launch of its new test drive centre initiative, launching with eight sites initially. Managed by a mix of existing GWM Ora dealers, the new sites will be tactically situated to support the brand’s existing network.

Speaking about network growth, Toby Marshall, managing director, GWM Ora UK said: “As a new brand to market, growing our core infrastructure and finding the right partners has been a major strategic focus for the GWM Ora UK team.

"We believe that our retail partners will play a key role in establishing a solid foundation for future success, in which we can grow brand awareness, deliver exceptional customer service and launch exciting new products.”

Richard Ward, dealer principal at Westaway Motors, one of the newly appointed franchisees, said: “We are very excited to be taking on GWM ORA at our Moulton Park dealership. The ORA Funky Cat has blown us all away with its premium build quality and high level of technology. The current PCH offer has certainly attracted a lot of attention and we have already taken orders and handed over cars to customers in our first week of opening. We see great times ahead as GWM ORA introduce more EV models into the UK market.”

GWM ORA UK now has two cars on sale in the UK, ORA Funky Cat First Edition and the newly launched First Edition+ which is limited to just 50 units and priced £33,795.