GWM Malaysia has rolled out the first locally assembled ORA 5 Hi2 HEV from its production facility in Melaka, marking another step in the brand’s localisation efforts ahead of the hybrid SUV’s Malaysian launch this November.
The first unit rolled off the production line at the EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) plant, fulfilling a local assembly commitment announced at the Global Automotive and Technology Expo (GATE) 2026.
Bookings for the ORA 5 Hi2 HEV have been open since 5 October, with an estimated selling price of below RM115,000. Final pricing, specifications and ownership benefits will be announced at its official launch.
Cui Anqi, Managing Director, Corporate Affairs, GWM Malaysia; Stan Li Hao, Managing Director, Commercial Operations, GWM Malaysia; Lim Ee Lenn, Marketing Director, GWM Malaysia.
Hi2 Hybrid System
The ORA 5 Hi2 HEV combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, producing a combined output of 223 PS and 476 Nm of torque.
Power is delivered through a 2-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), with the hybrid system designed to balance performance and fuel efficiency without requiring external charging.
GWM claims fuel consumption as low as 4.4 litres per 100 km and a total driving range exceeding 1,100 km. These figures are based on specified test conditions, with actual consumption and range dependent on driving style, traffic and other operating conditions.
The ORA 5 also brings some international recognition to its Malaysian introduction. It received the Design of the Year award at the 2025 London Design Awards, becoming the first production car to receive the distinction. Its interior subsequently won the Best Interior Design Award (Family Car) at TADA 2026 (TOSTEM Asia Design Award).
The hybrid SUV also holds a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the lowest fuel consumption driving to all directly administered municipalities in China by a hybrid-electric production SUV. It recorded 3.74 litres per 100 km over a distance of 3,004 km.
GWM Expands Its Malaysian Assembly Operations
The ORA 5 Hi2 HEV joins the locally assembled HAVAL H6 HEV and WEY G9 in GWM Malaysia’s growing local production portfolio.
According to the company, more than 10,000 GWM vehicles have been assembled in Malaysia, while over 1,100 locally assembled WEY G9 units have been exported to Thailand and Indonesia.
The exports provide an indication of the role Malaysia is playing in GWM’s regional manufacturing operations, beyond supplying vehicles to the domestic market.
Stan Li Hao, Managing Director, Commercial Operations, GWM Malaysia, described the first local assembly rollout as an important milestone ahead of the ORA 5’s Malaysian introduction.
Roslan Abdullah, Chief Operating Officer, GWM Malaysia, said local assembly would help make the brand’s latest technologies more accessible to Malaysian customers, while building on its expanding local capabilities.
With the ORA 5 Hi2 HEV, GWM is adding another hybrid option to Malaysia’s increasingly competitive SUV market. Its estimated price below RM115,000 places it in a segment where a combination of equipment, efficiency and ownership value will be important considerations.
