Issues & Trends

SONOKONG CO., LTD. Begins Domestic Certification Process for China’s GWM Electric Vehicle ‘ORA 5’… “Building a Multi-Brand Distribution Model”

Park Jung-Soo
2026-09-08 10:00:04
SONOKONG CO., LTD.(066910)[Edaily Reporter Park Jung-Soo ] GWM (Great Wall Motor) is entering the South Korean automotive distribution market, starting with its electric vehicle, the “ORA 5.”
Photo caption: The GWM “ORA 5,” the first model to be introduced to the Korean market. As soon as the first vehicle arrives in Korea, the domestic certification process will begin. (Photo courtesy of SONOKONG CO., LTD.)

SONOKONG CO., LTD. announced on the 8th that, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GWM at the “GWM GLOBAL EXPLORE DAY 2026” on July 22 to enter the Korean market, the company signed a vehicle import contract on the 2nd.
SONOKONG CO., LTD. has completed the ordering and production of the ORA 5 prototype and plans to begin the certification process for sales as soon as the vehicle arrives in Korea. The company plans to launch the model in the domestic market as soon as possible after completing certification and sales preparations.
The first model to be introduced is GWM’s compact electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), the “ORA 5.” After reviewing the domestic market response to the ORA 5 and assessing business conditions, SONOKONG CO., LTD. intends to gradually expand its product lineup to include other GWM brands and models, such as HAVAL and WEY.
GWM is a Chinese automotive group established in 1984 that operates multiple brands, including HAVAL, WEY, ORA, TANK, and POER. With a product lineup spanning SUVs, electric vehicles, hybrids, and pickup trucks, the company is expanding its business not only in China but also into overseas markets such as Europe.
GWM is recognized as an automaker with a strong presence in the SUV segment. Its flagship brand, HAVAL, positions itself as a “global SUV expert” and has surpassed 9.5 million cumulative global sales (as of March 2025); the ORA 5 from the ORA brand—for which the company is currently seeking domestic certification—is also classified as a compact electric SUV.
Building on this agreement, SONOKONG CO., LTD. will pursue a “One Platform, Multi-Brand” strategy that differentiates itself from the existing single-brand-centric import and sales model.
The company plans to establish a B2B-based automotive distribution business that connects the entire vehicle lifecycle—from finance, leasing, maintenance, and service to used car sales and residual value management—on a single platform, with a focus on corporate and fleet customers. Starting with the ORA 5, the company plans to expand its platform business by adding multiple brands and models in the future.
Kim Deuk-myeong, Chairman of SONOKONG CO., LTD., stated, “This agreement marks the starting point for the mobility business SONOKONG CO., LTD. has been preparing for,” adding, “Together with GWM, we will build a B2B-based multi-brand platform to introduce a new distribution model to the Korean automotive market.”
He added, “Starting with the successful launch of the ORA 5 in the Korean market, we will expand our collaboration to include HAVAL, WEY, and others to provide Korean consumers with more choices.”

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