China Auto Daily丨GWM ORA 5 Debuts In Thailand Amid Strategic Multi-Power Shift

GWM ORA 5 Global Launch in Thailand

Great Wall Motor (GWM) officially hosted the global launch of the ORA 5 in Bangkok, Thailand. The ORA 5 is built upon a sophisticated intelligent multi-power platform, a versatile architecture capable of supporting Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV). This technical flexibility allows the platform to underpin a diverse range of body styles, including SUVs, coupes, and station wagons. According to GWM official filings, the introduction of the ORA 5 HEV represents a significant tactical shift in the Thai market. By moving from a pure electric roadmap to a diversified power approach, the company aims to better accommodate the current state of local charging infrastructure while offering consumers more adaptable mobility solutions.

XPeng Establishes Dedicated Robotaxi Business Department

On March 23, 2026, XPeng Motors announced the formal establishment of a dedicated Robotaxi Business Department to streamline the definition, integration, and operational testing of its autonomous fleet. Operating as a primary organizational unit, this department is designed to synergize and leverage platform resources across the company’s various research and development centers. During the Q4 2025 annual earnings call, Chairman He Xiaopeng confirmed that the company intends to initiate passenger-carrying demonstration operations in the second half of 2026. The primary objective of this phase is to validate the technical reliability, customer experience, and commercial viability of the service.

Xiaomi SU7 Generates Massive Consumer Interest

Xiaomi Chairman Lei Jun revealed during a live delivery broadcast on March 23 that the new generation Xiaomi SU7 has already secured over 30,000 locked orders. This surge in demand coincides with a massive retail push, as 492 stores across 143 cities in China officially opened test drive opportunities to the public. Lei Jun highlighted the intense level of engagement, noting that between March 20 and March 22, more than 50,000 individuals participated in test drives of the new model. While specific pricing for the newest iterations remains fluid across various trims, the standard entry point for the SU7 series typically begins at RMB 219,900 (USD 31,870).

HIMA Brand Expansion and SAIC Z7 Pre-Orders

At the Huawei Spring All-Scenario Launch on March 23, the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) announced a major product offensive. Pre-orders have officially opened for the SAIC Z7 starting at RMB 229,800 (USD 33,300), the SAIC Z7T shooting brake starting at RMB 239,800 (USD 34,800), and the AITO M6 starting at RMB 269,800 (USD 39,100). Additionally, the Luxeed V9 is scheduled to arrive in showrooms by late April, while updated versions of the Stelato S9, Stelato S9T, Luxeed R7, and the Aito M7 and M8 have been officially launched. According to HIMA official data, the alliance has achieved a cumulative delivery of over 1.3 million vehicles, reaching the million-unit milestone in just 43 months. To sustain this momentum, HIMA plans to expand its sales network to over 2,459 outlets and its service centers to over 1,459 locations by year-end. This infrastructure growth will result in a national city coverage rate exceeding 94%, ensuring that high-tech models like the flagship Maextro series are supported by a robust premium service network.

*(Exchange rate: RMB 6.9 = USD 1)*