KATHMANDU: Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) is expanding its presence in Nepal with a wider range of electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs.
GWM Nepal has traditionally focused on Haval SUVs, pickups and the ORA 03 EV. However, the company has recently added new electric models and is preparing to expand further into electrified SUVs.
VG Impex is the authorized distributor of GWM vehicles in Nepal. The company now has the ORA 03, ORA 5 and HAVAL Jolion Max EV in its electric vehicle portfolio.
The ORA 03 remains GWM’s entry-level EV in Nepal. It uses a 47.78 kWh LFP battery and a 99 kW electric motor. The motor produces 210 Nm of torque.
GWM claims a range of up to 400 km under the NEDC cycle. The ORA 03 was initially launched at Rs. 4.749 million, while its current market positioning puts it closer to the Rs. 4 million segments.
The recently launched ORA 5 takes GWM into the compact electric SUV segment. It comes with a 58.3 kWh battery and a 100 kW electric motor. The model is available in Nepal in two variants.
The ORA 5 has a claimed range of up to 520 km, depending on the specification and testing cycle. It also gets 200 mm of ground clearance and a range of advanced safety and driver-assistance features.
The ORA 5 was introduced at Rs. 4.699 million for the standard variant and Rs. 5.199 million for the Pro variant. This places it directly in the highly competitive Rs. 5 million electric SUV segment.
GWM has also expanded its EV portfolio with the HAVAL Jolion Max EV. The model uses a 58.3 kWh battery and a more powerful 150 kW electric motor.
This gives the Jolion Max EV a clear performance advantage over the ORA 5. The model is positioned as a larger and more powerful electric SUV for buyers looking beyond the entry and mid-range EV segments.
The company’s strategy, however, goes beyond fully electric vehicles.
GWM has already introduced its premium TANK brand in Nepal. The TANK 300 is a hybrid SUV, while the TANK 500 is a plug-in hybrid model. Both use a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
The TANK 300 is priced at Rs. 15.999 million, while the TANK 500 is priced at Rs. 21.599 million in Nepal. The TANK 300 produces 351 PS and 648 Nm, while the TANK 500 produces 408 PS and 750 Nm.
GWM is also preparing to introduce the HAVAL H7 in Nepal. The H7 is available internationally with electrified powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid version. The PHEV version uses a 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine with dual electric motors and an all-wheel-drive system.
With these additions, GWM is building a broader product portfolio in Nepal. The ORA 03 targets the lower-priced EV segment, while the ORA 5 and Jolion Max EV target the compact electric SUV market.
The TANK range moves the brand into the premium hybrid and plug-in hybrid segment. The upcoming H7 could further strengthen its presence in the electrified SUV market.
GWM is therefore no longer relying on a single type of powertrain or customer segment in Nepal. From affordable EVs to premium hybrid SUVs and plug-in hybrids, the company is building a much broader electrified lineup.
How successfully GWM can compete across these segments will depend on pricing, product availability and customer response in the coming months.
