Another car brand from China is coming to Germany
1. June 2023After Nio and their first model ET7, the next Chinese car brand is in the starting blocks for the German market. This time it is the Ora brand of the automotive group Great Wall Motor (GWM). In addition to the unusual name “Funky Cat”, the company is also focusing on an EV in Golf format and not another SUV like other manufacturers. The Funky Cat impresses with a retro design that could remind one of a Porsche, especially from the front. The technology and interior, on the other hand, are state of the art and exude high quality standards.
Even the basic version of the Ora Funky Cat comes with a full range of safety features and achieved five out of five stars in the EuroNACP crash test. The highlight of the extensive range of functions is a voice assistant that performed spoken tasks practically flawlessly in initial tests by German car magazines, thus reaching the level of premium brands. The Ora is powered by an e-motor with 126 kW (171 hp) and accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, with a top speed of 160 km/h. The basic version has a 48 kWh battery on board, which is said to be sufficient for a range of around 300 kilometers; with the more powerful 63 kWh battery, around 400 kilometers should then be possible. The entry-level price (before deduction of the EV subsidy) is likely to be just under 40,000 euros, with around 10,000 euros added for the top GT version. In total, the Funky Cat will probably appear in five variants on the German market from January. The newly founded Emil Frey Import Services, which also includes Mitsubishi’s German distribution, will be responsible for imports.
Vehicles and components must be awarded a CCC certificate so that the products can be exported to China or manufactured locally. Regarding e-mobility and battery system registration for both China and other markets, there are also many factors to consider.
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