No, it’s not an phantasm – there are A LOT of recent Chinese language automotive manufacturers coming to Australia within the very close to future.
Gone are the times when vehicles from China had been all bargain-basement specials with nothing greater than a low price ticket to get patrons . Nowadays Australian motorists demand high quality from their automotive purchases, driving a change in what manufacturers carry right here.
As much as a dozen new Chinese language marques are set to hitch Australia’s already huge record of new-car suppliers by the tip of 2025, and extra will observe in the event that they resolve to experience the wave of booming gross sales post-pandemic.
Although we’re nonetheless ready for affirmation of whether or not or when some gamers will make their transfer Down Beneath, listed below are a number of the manufacturers confirmed or critically contemplating a transfer to the native market.
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GAC/Aion
Regardless of being certainly one of China’s largest carmakers, GAC may not be a well-known identify to Australian motorists.
Australian agency AGA Auto was appointed GAC’s native distributor in 2022, and in Might introduced it might carry the namesake model to showrooms underneath the three-letter banner within the second half of 2025.
GAC’s lineup focuses on petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid automobiles, whereas sub-brand Aion is electric-only. It’s not but clear whether or not Aion fashions will likely be rebranded as GAC once they arrive in Australia.
Within the plans are GAC’s M8/E9 individuals movers and GS8/ES9 giant SUVs, in addition to the Aion V small SUV.
MORE: Every part GACMORE: Inside Chinese language model GAC’s daring plan to storm Australian gross sales high 10
Geely
Geely is among the most skilled Chinese language carmakers when it comes to understanding the Australian market, even when its namesake model hasn’t but reached native shores.
Because the mum or dad of Lotus, Polestar, Volvo and Good, Geely already has its toes within the water right here, but it surely’s now about to see how profitable it may be when not buying and selling off comparatively established names.
The Geely EX5 mid-sized electrical SUV will likely be its first mannequin on sale right here, giving the model a challenger to the BYD Atto 3 and Tesla Mannequin Y, and a a lot bigger providing than the Volvo EX30/Good #1.
First deliveries are anticipated earlier than the tip of 2024.
MORE: Every part Geely MORE: Geely subsequent in onslaught of Chinese language automotive manufacturers coming to Australia
Jaecoo
No, its not the caravan maker. Jaecoo is an SUV model that’s owned by Geely, and is due right here in early 2025.
Whereas Chery is presently in its second try at capturing the hearts and minds of Australian new-car patrons with budget-friendly choices, Jaecoo will likely be pegged as a extra upmarket model.
It’ll launch with the J7 mid-sized SUV, an SUV obtainable in each front- and all-wheel drive, a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (punching out 145kW and 290Nm) and the potential for plug-in hybrid energy additional down the road.
It’s but to element what different fashions will come to Australia, although no less than one is predicted to observe inside 12 months of the J7.
MORE: Chery’s Jaecoo coming to Australia with Toyota RAV4 rival
Leapmotor
Leapmotor is a Chinese language model with a well-known backing.
Leapmotor Worldwide is headquartered within the Netherlands, and is a joint-venture between Jeep and Peugeot mum or dad Stellantis – which has a 51 per cent stake – and Chinese language agency Leapmotor, which has the remaining 49 per cent. Make sense?
To this point, solely the Mannequin Y-sized C10 electrical SUV and the lately revealed B10 small SUV have been locked in. The C10 will begin from $45,888 earlier than on-road prices.
The C10 is coming in late 2024, earlier than the B10 arrives sooner or later in 2025 or early 2026.
Globally, a small hatchback will observe in 2026, earlier than a lightweight hatchback and an SUV land in 2027.
MORE: Every part LeapmotorMORE: Jeep-backed model bringing price range Chinese language EVs to Australia
Deepal
Deepal may not sound like an particularly Chinese language identify, but it surely’s a Chongqing-based electrical automobile specialist, owned by carmaking big Changan, that’s getting ready to tackle Australia.
Imported and distributed by Inchcape – which presently handles the Subaru and Peugeot manufacturers right here, the place it’s going to quickly let go of Citroen – Deepal will come right here with the S07 electrical SUV.
Due right here within the fourth quarter of 2024, the Deepal S07 could have a 160kW/320Nm single electrical motor, and a 79.97kWh battery giving it 475km of claimed vary.
Deepal has already teased bringing the Toyota LandCruiser Prado-sized G318 SUV to Australia, which in China encompasses a range-extender drivetrain, with its 1.5-litre engine successfully performing as a generator to cost a small battery that powers its electrical motors.
Additionally previewed at its Australian launch was the E07, an uncommon SUV/ute mash-up.
MORE: Every part DeepalMORE: 2025 Deepal S07: Mannequin Y rival detailed for AustraliaMORE: China’s Deepal teases plans for EV ute, Prado and Mannequin 3 rivals in Australia
Xpeng
Xpeng will likely be one of many many manufacturers focusing on the all-conquering Tesla Mannequin Y in relation to Australia this 12 months, when it’s going to tackle this market with the G6.
It’s virtually equivalent in measurement, outputs and driving vary to Tesla’s perennial best-seller, and can undercut the Mannequin Y by about $1100.
Xpeng automobiles will likely be imported and distributed by TrueEV, an Australian agency with plans to additional develop its lineup throughout the subsequent handful of years.
On the playing cards for 2025 are the X9 individuals mover and P7 sedan, adopted by “two smaller SUV fashions” in 2026 – with a type of more likely to be the bigger G9.
MORE: Every part XpengMORE: Chinese language EV startup chasing the whole lot from Tesla Mannequin 3 to Toyota Kluger in AustraliaMORE: 2025 Xpeng G6 worth and specs: Chinese language EV packs Mannequin Y-baiting sticker
Zeekr
Geely isn’t simply bringing its namesake model to Australia, but additionally Zeekr – one other subsidiary of the Chinese language auto big.
Although its 009 electrical individuals mover was due first, the Zeekr X – a twin to the Volvo EX30 and Good #1 small electrical SUVs – will likely be its debut mannequin, launching with a $56,900 price ticket this month.
Additional down the road, Zeekr plans to carry the bigger Mannequin Y-sized 7X electrical SUV to showrooms in 2025.
It’s not but recognized what’s within the Zeekr pipeline past these three fashions, all of which share their platforms with their sibling or mum or dad model’s automobiles which can be already in or are quickly coming to showrooms.
MORE: Every part ZeekrMORE: 2025 Zeekr X worth and specs: Mannequin Y cash for Volvo EX30 twinMORE: Why this Chinese language EV newcomer thinks model recognition isn’t a priority
Skywell
A comparatively new model within the international market, Skywell – or Skyworth – is but to show 10 years previous, and it’s slowly embracing passenger automobiles after first specializing in business automobiles.
EV Automotive is the model’s native distributor, and it’s been noticed testing a mid-sized electrical SUV offered abroad because the Skywell ET5 in Brisbane.
One more Mannequin Y rival, the ET5 will likely be quickly rebranded because the EVA 5 when it arrives right here in late 2024 or 2025, priced from underneath $50,000 drive-away for the most cost effective of three front-wheel drive variants that supply as much as 490km of vary.
Different future choices for EV Automotive embrace the lately revealed Skywell Q, which has gone on sale within the UK, one other right-hand drive market.
