Understanding the new Chinese car brands in Australia

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Possibly the biggest change we’ve ever seen within the new car market globally has been the significant push by China to build more affordable BEVs, or battery-electric vehicles. 

While there might be a fair share of sceptics out there, China’s presence in the new car market cannot go unnoticed. Similar to the rise of South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia two decades ago, Chinese brands still sit on the fringes for now but are expected to become mainstays in our local automotive environment in the longer term.

To clear up some of the confusion, this is Chasing Cars’ guide to the Chinese automotive space, what’s here and what’s still to come in the next 12 months. 

BYD Auto 

Founded: 2003

Number of cars built in 2023: 3,045,231

First model in Australia: Atto 3 electric small SUV 

Current model lineup: Seal sedan, Dolphin small car, Shark 6 ute, Sealion 6 SUV

Lowest starting price in Australia: $36,890 (Dolphin)

BYD arrived in Australia with the Atto 3 electric small SUV, a bold statement and at a pretty bold price. BYD in 2024 continues to push the boundaries and will very soon deliver its first-ever ute in Australia, the Shark 6, the first-ever PHEV ute for our market. 

Chery 

Founded: 1997

Number of cars built in 2023: 1,881,316

First model in Australia: Omoda 5 SUV

Current model lineup: Omoda 5 SUV, Omoda E5 electric SUV, Tiggo 4 Pro SUV, Tiggo 7 Pro SUV, Tiggo 8 Pro Max

Lowest starting price: $23,990 (Tiggo 4 Pro)

Chery is yet another Chinese automaker with value very much in front of mind. Beginning with the Omoda 5 SUV, the Chery brand will expand its automotive network to offer several other brands in Australia, including Jaecoo and Jetour. It’s planning to go more upmarket with these additional sub-brands on local shores. 

Deepal  

Founded: 2008

Number of cars built in 2023: 102,417

First model in Australia: Deepal S07 midsize SUV

Current model lineup: S07, and later S05 and L07 

Lowest starting price: $53,900 plus on-road costs (S07)

Deepal is going full steam ahead with a series of electrified SUVs for Australia, targeting prices lower than that offered by key rival Tesla. Its first model for our shores will be a S07, directly targeting the Tesla Model Y. 

GWM

Founded: 1984

Number of cars built in 2023: 1,229,982

First model in Australia: GWM Cannon ute 

Current model lineup: Ora electric car, Haval Jolion, Haval H6, Haval H6 GT, Tank 300 and 500 SUVs, Cannon ute and Cannon Alpha ute

Lowest starting price: $26,990 (Haval Jolion)

GWM first came to Australia in 2009 as a relatively unknown brand, but is now a top 10 seller here. Its first model was a ute called the SA220 and was just $19,990 driveaway. Next on GWM’s priority list is a plug-in hybrid variant of its Cannon Alpha ute to directly rival the BYD Shark 6. 

JAC Motors

Founded: 1964

Number of cars built in 2023: est. 400,000 

First model in Australia: JAC T9 ute 

Current model lineup: JAC T9 ute 

Lowest starting price: $42,662

While it tried to sell trucks in Australia for around ten years, JAC is giving our market another shot, and working on bringing some of the most affordable utes to our market. Its T9 ute has been priced well below the likes of the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. 

MG Motor 

Founded: 2006 (under Chinese ownership)

Number of cars built in 2023: 840,000

First model in Australia: MG 6 sedan 

Current model lineup: MG HS, MG ZS, MG 3, MG 4, MG 5, Cyberster  

Lowest starting price: $18,490 (MG 3 Core)

Once British, but now entirely owned by Chinese auto giant SAIC, MG has hit the ground running in Australia, having had great success with models such as the ZS small SUV and HS midsize SUV. It has now entered the electric space with the MG 4 and Cyberster models and could even lean into the luxury space with its sub-brand IM Motors. 

SAIC Motor including LDV

Founded: 1955

Number of cars built in 2023: Combined company output of 5,020,865

First model in Australia: LDV V80 van

Current model lineup: D90 SUV, T60 ute, eT60 electric ute, Deliver 7 van, Deliver 9 van, Mifa 9 people mover, G10 van

Lowest starting price: $37,358 (LDV G10+ van)

While SAIC owns MG, it also owns the brand LDV, previously known as Leyland DAF Vans, which sells commercial vans and pickups here in Australia. The big seller for LDV here is the T60 ute, but it’s going to bring the potentially game-changing eTerron 9 electric ute replacement to Australia early in 2025. Stay tuned. 

Smart 

Founded: 2019 (joint venture)

Number of cars built in 2023: Unknown

First model in Australia: Smart #1 

Current model lineup: Smart #1 and Smart #3

Lowest starting price: $54,900 (Smart #1 Pro+)

Once known for (very) small city cars, the Smart brand has been reinvigorated thanks to a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz. The #1, #3 and #5 electric SUVs will be distributed here by LSH Auto. Fun fact: they are now much larger cars than the original Smart ForTwo city car. 

Zeekr 

Founded: 2021

Number of cars built in 2023: Unknown

First model in Australia: Zeekr X Luxury SUV

Current model lineup: Zeekr X, 009 people mover to follow 

Lowest starting price: $56,900 (Zeekr X rear-wheel drive SUV)

Zeekr, owned by Geely, shares much of its platforms and technologies with Volvo. Its launching in Australia with the X SUV, but plans to also bring in an electric people mover called the 009. The van will compete with other electric people movers like the LDV Mifa 9. The Zeekr 001 is also a possibility for Australian shores in the future. 

Chinese brands very likely to come to Australia in future

Roewe 

Who owns it? SAIC Motor

Founded: 2006

Production output in 2023: Unknown

Likely vehicle for Australia: RX3 small SUV, RX5 midsize SUV

Estimated introduction: Early 2025, likely under the MG banner

Yet another brand from SAIC, Roewe is likely to enter the Australian market, but could be simply rebranded as MG vehicles. However, SAIC launching another brand under its banner is not completely off the cards. 

Geely  

Who owns it? Geely Holding Group

Founded: 2003

Production output in 2023: 2,790,000

Likely vehicle for Australia: Radar ute, EX5 midsize SUV

Estimated introduction: 2025 

Geely is all but confirmed for a future local launch and is likely to bring in its EX5 midsize SUV, as well as the Radar ute, also known globally as the Riddara RD6. Who said there were too many utes in Australia already?

Xpeng 

Who owns it? Guangzhou Xiaopeng Technology Co. LTD

Founded: 2014

Production output in 2023: 100,000

Key vehicle: Xpeng G6 midsize SUV

Expected Australian introduction: Early 2025

Xpeng is confirmed and on its way to Australia, having already locked in its G6 electric SUV for our local shores. Its Australian website is also showing two other models, the G9 large SUV and the X9 people mover, so stay tuned for more information!

Seres Automobile

Who owns it? Seres Group

Founded: 2016

Production output in 2023: 114,000

Key vehicle: Seres SF5 midsize SUV

Expected introduction to Australia: Confirmed to Chasing Cars at the 2023 IAA Motorshow in Munich, Germany. Exact timing unclear. 

Still broadly unconfirmed for Australia, Seres is making a lot of moves overseas and did confirm to Chasing Cars that it plans on making a debut in Oceania, including Australia, in the very near future. 

Lynk & Co

Who owns it? Geely Auto (50%) and Volvo Cars (30%)

Founded: 2016

Production output: 800,000 units since launch 

Key vehicle: Lynk & Co Zero sedan

Expected Australian introduction: By 2025 

Another Geely brand, Lynk & Co is very likely to launch in Australia due to its parent company’s interests here. Headquartered in Sweden, the luxury brand produces a range of vehicles, with the Zero sedan and 08 midsize SUV likely for our shores in the future.  

Leapmotor 

Who owns it? Stellantis (20%)

Founded: 2015

Production output: 500,000 

Key vehicle: Leapmotor C10 electric SUV 

Expected Australian introduction: Late 2024/ early 2025

Owned 20 percent by Stellantis, Leapmotor is taking on the likes of Tesla with its C10 midsize SUV. It’s a new vehicle, having only begun production this year. And the fact that Leapmotor has an Australian website is a very good sign, indeed. 

GAC Motor

Who owns it? Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC Group)

Founded: 2008

Production output: est. 200,000 per annum 

Key vehicle: GS4 SUV

Expected Australian introduction: Unknown

Reports indicated that GAC Motor has plans for Australia and is likely to introduce midsize and large SUVs, people movers and even sports cars. The GS4 SUV is most likely for a local Aussie launch. 

Jaecoo

Who owns it? Chery Automobile Company

Founded: 2023

Production output: est. 50,000 p.a

Key vehicle: J6 off-road SUV or Jaecoo J7 SUV

Expected Australian introduction: Early 2025

An SUV-focused spin off brand of Chery, Jaecoo is not to be confused with Jayco, the Australian caravan builder. Jaecoo specialises in rugged off-roaders such as the J6 and J7 models. The company is just a year old, but it has big plans for Oceania. 

Nio

Who owns it? Nio Inc, shares factories with JAC Group

Founded: 2014

Production output in 2023: 160,038

Key vehicle: Nio ES7 & ES8 SUVs, EC7 midsize SUV

Expected Australian introduction: Sometime in 2025

Established in 2014, Nio has become known for its battery-swapping technology and battery stations and actively participates in the electric-only Formula E. It produces cars in plants shared with the JAC Group. ES7 and ES8 SUVs are very likely for a future Australian release.  

Changan 

Who owns it? Changan Automobile Company

Founded: 1862

Production output in 2023: 2,553,052

Key vehicle: G318 ladder frame off-road SUV

Expected Australian introduction: Sometime in 2025

Changan owns 51 percent of Deepal, making a future Australian launch likely. It produced a staggering 2.5 million cars in 2023. The brand could sell a range of cars down under, including the G318 off-road SUV and even the F70 ute (rebadged as a Peugeot Landtrek). 

Jetour 

Who owns it? Chery 

Founded: 2018

Production output in 2023: 315,000

Key vehicle: Jetour Dashing, Traveller and X70 SUVs

Expected Australian introduction: sometime in 2025 

Another Chery owned business, Jetour is a brand noted for its crossovers and SUVs. Founded in 2018, the Chinese brand will likely bring rugged, Land Rover-styled SUVs to Australia, but we are still yet to learn exact timings.