Chinese car makers are building a significant presence in Australia, with brands such as BYD, MG and Great Wall Motors becoming heavy hitters in the local market, offering bang-for-your-buck motoring that has resonated with Aussie markets.
China has become the world’s largest automotive producer, producing a staggering 27.02 million units during 2022.
But the region isn’t planning to slow down anytime soon, with some companies set to expand to other markets, including Australia, following in the footsteps of BYD, Chery, MG and GWM.
The Zeekr 001 Shooting Brake
Let’s take a look at four Chinese brands you could soon see on Aussie roads.
Changan
Who/what/where: Chinese government-owned, headquartered in Chongqing, China, manufacturer of passenger cars, microvans, commercial vans and light trucks
Likely model for Australia: Changan Hunter pickup truck, Deepal range of vehicles including several new SUVs
The new Changan Deepal G318 SUV
When could it come to Australia? Changan Deepal has announced it will be bringing its vehicles to markets such as South East Asia, as well as Europe, but proximity and right-hand drive production means Australia could be next.
Manufacturing for Deepal sub-brand set to begin in Rayong, Thailand in 2025
Interesting facts about Changan
- Changan sold 845,000 vehicles in 2018 alone
- Has held joint ventures in the past with major automotive brands including Suzuki, Ford, Mazda and the PSA Group (Peugeot, Citroen, Opel and Vauxhall)
- Has over 11,000 R&D personnel and several development centres including in Shanghai, Beijing, Turin, Italy, Yokohama, Japan, Nottingham in the United Kingdom and Silicon Valley, USA.
- Changan is China’s oldest automaker, founded in 1862
- Among the top four Chinese automotive companies
Changan sold a significant 845,000 vehicles in 2018 alone
Seres (previously known as SF Motors)
Who/what/where: headquartered in Santa Clara, California, private company, manufacturing in China and USA
What it builds/speciality: electric passenger vehicles
Likely model for Australia: Seres 7 electric SUV, Seres 3 compact/small SUV – a Seres spokesperson in Munich during the IAA motor show told Chasing Cars it was committed to bringing products to the Australian market
The current Seres 3 small SUV
Interesting facts about Seres
- A private company, rather than government-owned like some of its biggest competitors
- SERES stands for ‘silicon valley, electric vehicle, range-extended’
- Relatively new company, with automotive subsidiary established in California in 2016
- Vehicles produced in Asia, more specifically four Chinese factories, one factory in Banten, Indonesia
Dongfeng Motor Corporation
Who/what/where: Chinese government-owned, headquartered in Wuhan, China, founded in 1969
What it builds/speciality: passenger cars, commercial vehicles, buses and automotive components
Likely model for Australia: likely to be its key small and midsize SUV range that includes the AX7 and Shine GS
The Dongfeng MHero I is an oddly-named electric off-roader
Interesting facts about the Dongfeng company
- Third largest Chinese automaker as part of the ‘Big Four’ automotive brands
- Previously has held joint ventures with Honda, Nissan and Renault
- Sales revenue reportedly reached USD$90 billion in 2018
- The company employs over 150,000 staff
- Interestingly also produces diesel engines in a 50/50 joint venture with US-based engine maker Cummins
Zeekr
Who/what/where? Headquartered in Zhejiang, China, owned by parent company Geely (who also owns Polestar, Volvo and Lotus)
What it builds/ speciality: electric cars including the Zeekr X small SUV, the Zeekr 001 shooting brake, the 007 sedan and the 009 people mover
Zeekr stands for a generation Z geek. Get it?
Likely model for Australia: the 009 people mover, very likely to arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2024. Rides on the same platform as the Volvo EM90.
Interesting facts about Zeekr
- The youngest brand of this list, founded in 2021
- Built by head company Geely to rival Tesla and Nio brands
- Name stands for a mix between ‘generation Z’ and the term ‘geek’
- Promoted as more of a premium Chinese automaker, rather than lower-cost driven brands like MG and BYD
- Has a R&D centre in Gothenburg, Sweden, as well as in three major Chinese cities
