“China velocity” is the time period used for a way Chinese language automakers rapidly develop and roll out new fashions and know-how, however there needs to be one other time period that’s used to explain how rapidly they’ll enter and seize market share in an export market.
This checklist of 9 manufacturers sure for Australia is nearly sure to be out-of-date inside a number of months.
Whereas Chinese language manufacturers like GWM and MG at the moment are nicely entrenched Down Underneath, inside the previous 5 years alone we’ve seen the launch of BYD, Denza, Deepal, Farizon, GAC, Geely, JAC, Leapmotor, IM Motors, Omoda Jaecoo, Xpeng and Zeekr, plus the return of Chery and Foton.
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And, imagine it or not, there are nonetheless Chinese language manufacturers that haven’t been launched in Australia, and even complete auto teams like FAW which have but to plant their flag on native soil.
So, for now, listed below are 9 manufacturers which have signalled they’re planning an Australian launch. Let’s test that tally in a number of months… or maybe even in a number of weeks!
212
Off-roader model 212 has been spied testing its solely mannequin, the Jeep Wrangler-rivalling T01, within the Northern Territory, although a neighborhood launch is a way off because it doesn’t at the moment produce any automobiles in right-hand drive.
An organization spokesperson confirmed to CarExpert in February 2026 that RHD will include its next-generation mannequin.
212 is a part of Qingdao-based BAW, beforehand a subsidiary of the BAIC Group however now privately owned, and introduced final yr it will be launching in Europe, South America, Southeast Asia, the Center East and Africa.
Whereas resembling the Jeep Wrangler and equally that includes dwell axles entrance and rear, plus a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the T01 attracts design inspiration from the outdated BAW/Beijing Jeep BJ212 that entered manufacturing within the Nineteen Sixties.
The off-roader, which entered manufacturing in 2024, can be supplied in China with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel 4.
It’s unclear what powertrains 212’s next-generation automobiles will provide, although you possibly can count on them to retain the identical rugged, boxy design language and off-road functionality.
MORE: Chinese language military-style off-roaders spied testing in Australia
Dreame
Dreame is uncommon in that it’s a know-how firm which has but to launch a manufacturing automobile, however has however introduced plans to launch within the Australian market. It plans to begin buyer deliveries early in 2027.
In March, it confirmed off new Nebula-badged idea automobiles: the Subsequent 01 four-door hypercar and 01X SUV. These use a platform supporting quad electrical motors, good for a claimed mixed output of 1399kW of energy and a mammoth 23,000Nm of torque, and claimed 0-100km/h instances as fast as 1.8 seconds.
Manufacturing variations are claimed to begin rolling off the manufacturing line in 2027, that includes solid-state batteries.
Dreame additionally plans to launch a spread of electrical SUVs underneath the Star Motor model, and the corporate says each these and Nebula automobiles are deliberate for Australia.
It says it’s at the moment engaged on tuning its first fashions for native roads and circumstances, in addition to making certain compliance with native laws, security and high quality requirements.
MORE: 1400kW EV hypercar maker Dreame coming to Australia in 2027
Firefly
Nio’s Firefly model has submitted certification paperwork to the Australian Authorities for its solely automobile to this point, an electrical hatchback, and has been conducting native testing and validation.
Nevertheless, whereas it has beforehand confirmed it was in lively discussions with native distributors “to make sure a compliant, mature and sustainable market entry”, it has but to announce who will import and promote its automobiles right here – or if it’ll find yourself chopping out the center man, because the likes of Chery and MG have, by distributing its personal automobiles in Australia.
The Firefly is barely bigger than a Toyota Yaris, and shapes as a smaller, doubtlessly extra premium different to the likes of the BYD Dolphin, MG 4 and GWM Ora.
It’s unclear if Nio’s namesake model or the lately launched Onvo marque may even make their manner Down Underneath.
MORE: Prepare for an additional new Chinese language model in Australia, however this one is slightly totally different
Forthing
Ateco Automotive, which distributes the LDV, Ram, Renault and (individually) Maserati manufacturers, seems to have been searching for a funds model to deal with. Simply weeks in the past, it confirmed it has the Australian distribution rights for Forthing, owned by Dongfeng subsidiary Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor.
That provides it a second Chinese language model, this one with crossover SUVs – complementing LDV, which specialises in vans and body-on-frame SUVs and utes.
Ateco has beforehand dealt with Foton, Nice Wall and SsangYong, and in addition was chargeable for Kia in its early days Down Underneath. From June, it should promote the mid-size Forthing Taikon 5, out there as both an EV or an extended-range electrical automobile (EREV). It’ll tackle rivals just like the Leapmotor C10.
Forthing guarantees “a spread of compelling future fashions” and a “complete line-up of new-energy automobiles”, a Chinese language time period referring to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), EREVs and EVs.
It’s unclear which different Forthing automobiles could comply with, however the model gives a spread of individuals movers, sedans and SUVs in different markets.
MORE: China’s Forthing locked in for Australia, new Toyota RAV4 rival simply two months away
Freelander
Chery is dusting off the Freelander nameplate of its companion Jaguar Land Rover, with the 2 automakers becoming a member of forces to determine a brand new SUV model that might be launched right here in 2027.
Previewed final month with the Idea 97, an SUV with varied design cues from the outdated Land Rover Freelander, automobiles from the brand new model might be produced by Chery for each the Chinese language market and international markets on the Chery/JLR plant in Changshu, China.
The corporate says it’s reinventing “the trail for Chinese language cars to go international”, and desires the Freelander model to be round for the lengthy haul.
Freelander automobiles are anticipated to be primarily based on Chery platforms and powertrains, however to this point the fledgling model has but to verify any technical particulars of its upcoming fashions. We count on to listen to extra when the manufacturing model of the Idea 97 is revealed in June.
MORE: One other Chinese language model is coming to Australia, and it’s one other one from Chery
iCaur
Established by Chery in 2023 as an export EV model with a really Apple-esque identify, with EREVs following thereafter, iCar gives a spread of bluff, boxy SUVs that are bought underneath the Chery Fulwin sub-brand in China.
Unusually, Chery has filed to trademark the identify iCaur domestically, although this has been opposed by the Inter-Business Convention on Auto Collision Restore. It stays to be seen what this model might be known as right here.
The lineup opens with the electrical V23, which is shorter than the Mazda CX-3, and tops out with the Toyota LandCruiser-sized V27 EREV. Some markets additionally get the small 03 electrical SUV, which is obtainable in different markets as a Jaecoo.
However with Chery and Omoda Jaecoo being joined by Lepas this yr and Freelander and iCaur subsequent yr, the Chinese language large runs the chance of its manufacturers cannibalising one another – and hampering its objectives of getting the Chery model into the highest 5 and Omoda Jaecoo within the prime 10 by 2027.
“In Western markets, model hierarchy could be very vertical — this one’s entry-level, this one’s quantity, this one’s premium, this one’s luxurious,” Chery Australia chief working officer Lucas Harris informed CarExpert in November 2025, defending the father or mother firm’s export technique.
“My statement of what we see in Chinese language manufacturers… is it’s far more horizontal.”
MORE: Chery’s boxy SUV model is coming to Australia, however we’re nonetheless not sure pronounce it
Jetour
One other new Chinese language model is coming to Australia, and it’s one other one from Chery.
Not like Chery, Omoda Jaecoo, Lepas, iCaur and Freelander, nonetheless, Jetour is being handled as a separate entity right here and is predicted to have a special again workplace and totally different distribution. Like these manufacturers, although, its specialty is SUVs.
Jetour has but to announce when it’ll launch right here, however it has invited media to pre-launch occasions in June and says it’s in “the preparation part for Australia”.
It’s one in every of Chery’s oldest manufacturers, having been established in 2018 – hey, we informed you issues transfer quick in China. Jetour operates in additional than 100 markets, and delivered 622,590 automobiles globally in 2025.
Proper-hand drive manufacturing commenced in 2024 for a number of key fashions, with the Dashing compact SUV, the T-Sequence (T1 and T2) mid-size SUV, and the seven-seat X70 Plus now on sale in South Africa.
Jetour’s lineup is break up between sleeker fashions just like the Dashing and boxier, extra rugged-looking automobiles just like the T-Sequence, and there’s a alternative of petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Although not but out there in right-hand drive, Jetour’s flagship is the plug-in hybrid G700 which is a three-row, ladder-frame SUV – not like the remainder of the lineup, which consists of unibody SUVs – that’s bigger than the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Sequence and nearly an identical in measurement to the Denza B8. A associated ute has additionally been proven off in idea type.
MORE: One more Chinese language automotive model confirmed for Australia
JMC
JMC is returning to Australia, after an earlier, unsuccessful run from 2015 to 2018.
It’ll as soon as once more provide a ute underneath the Vigus nameplate, with authorities approval paperwork printed late final yr confirming it’ll include a 3.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder – an engine not at the moment supplied by the model in some other markets – mated with an eight-speed computerized transmission.
Unusually, JMC has filed to supply the Vigus right here and never one in every of its new Dadao household of utes launched in 2023, which function extra trendy interiors and lively security and driver help know-how lacking from the Chinese language-market Vigus.
Dadao automobiles – badged Grand Avenue in export markets – use a platform co-developed with Ford, with which father or mother firm Jiangling Motors has an in depth relationship. It’s unclear if these will comply with the Vigus, which seems to be aimed on the most inexpensive finish of Australia’s ute market.
Earlier this yr, Danny Lenartic – previously of JAC – was appointed CEO of JMC Motor Australia.
MORE: Chinese language model set to have one other crack at Australian market with new ute
Lepas
Lepas is one other Chinese language model from, you guessed it, Chery. It’s set for launch right here in direction of the tip of 2026.
Like Omoda Jaecoo, it’s one other Chery model developed for export markets equivalent to Australia and Europe, providing a spread of small to medium SUVs with various levels of electrification, all the best way as much as absolutely electrical powertrains.
Lepas’ level of differentiation from the Chery and Omoda Jaecoo manufacturers is the provision of daring colors inside and outside, although it stays to be seen how lengthy this technique will final in Australia the place monochromatic finishes and black interiors reign supreme.
The model may additionally promote designer garments and equipment in its showrooms as a part of its deal with vogue.
The small L6 and mid-size L8 SUVs are anticipated at launch late this yr, with the smaller L4 SUV more likely to comply with in 2027.
MORE: 2027 Lepas L6 previewed: One other electrical and hybrid SUV from Chery
MORE: Chery-owned Lepas to distinguish itself with the assistance of vogue manufacturers
Notice that every one of those are solely manufacturers which have formally introduced plans for the Australian market as of April 2026.
Others which might come right here embrace Geely’s Ridarra, maker of the RD6 electrical and plug-in hybrid unibody ute, and Changan’s luxurious model Avatr, which has filed to trademark its identify domestically.
BAIC and Dongfeng lately launched their namesake manufacturers in New Zealand. BAIC’s Foton division is already represented right here, distributed alongside Subaru, Peugeot and Deepal by Inchcape, whereas Dongfeng-developed automobiles will come right here underneath the Forthing and (possible) Nissan manufacturers.
