Five Chinese EV brands that haven’t hit Australia… yet

APRIL 4: Zeekr has been confirmed for Australia

Chinese brand Zeekr has confirmed it's coming to Australia in 2025. We've updated this story to reflect the latest news.

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Australia is set to break the all-time new vehicle sales in 2023, as more than 1.1 million new vehicles have been registered so far this year.

Notably, battery electric vehicle (EV) sales have seen a huge increase with 80,446 delivered so far this year, marking a significant boost over the same period in 2023, at just 28,326 – proving the growing interest in low-emission vehicles among Australian consumers.

It’s easy to see the opportunity here in Australia for brands offering electrified models, and a few are jumping onto our humble island to offer more choice than ever before. (And steal a piece of that sales pie.)

In recent years, brands like MG, Chery and BYD have jumped into the mix with a range of electrified options, and while these value-focused cars are proving popular with Aussies, they’re only a drop in the ocean of opportunity.

Let’s take a look at some Chinese brands that may come along for the ride sometime soon.

5

Xiaomi

Xiaomi Automotive, a division of the well-known Chinese electronics company Xiaomi, is making a strategic entry into the EV market.

Announced in 2021, Xiaomi Automotive signifies an expansion beyond consumer electronics, reflecting the company's ambition to become a key player in the rapidly growing EV sector.

The Xiaomi SU7 has been spotted in China recently wearing camouflage. Although the naming convention is a little confusing, the EV is an aerodynamic and sporty looking four-door coupe, which some have called a “Taycan for young people”.

5

Leapmotor

Leapmotor, an EV manufacturer established in 2015, is making waves in China's automotive industry with its focus on sustainable and intelligent EVs.

Based in Hangzhou, China, Leapmotor says it aims to offer affordable, high-quality electric vehicles equipped with advanced technology, including autonomous driving and efficient energy systems.

The company's proprietary battery technology and software enhance vehicle performance and safety. Leapmotor's product range caters to various consumer needs, from compact city cars to spacious family vehicles.

Stellantis (think Jeep, Fiat and Peugeot) recently acquired approximately 20% of Leapmotor for 1.5 billion euros. The deal also highlighted the venture of Leapmotor International that gives the brand exclusive rights to sell Leapmotor products outside of China.

5

Deepal

Deepal operates as an EV brand under Changan, which is recognized as the oldest automaker in China and the smallest among the 'big four' state-owned automobile companies.

According to CarNewsChina, Deepal's CEO says the brand will aim to sell 450,000 EVs in 2024. This target was set to coincide with their expansion into European and ASEAN markets.

Two of its new models, the SL03i sedan and S7i SUV, launched only a few months ago. These models feature a valet autonomous parking system, allowing the vehicle to recall a previously taken parking route. Once a driver returns to a familiar parking area, this system can autonomously park the vehicle in the memorised spot, even in multi-level garages.

The system also includes enhanced features like in-car and remote parking assist, and can autonomously move the vehicle to another spot when the parking time limit is reached.

Zeekr

Since publishing this piece, Zeekr has confirmed plans to launch in Australia in 2025 with a luxury people mover and small SUV.

Launched in 2021, Zeekr is a premium electric vehicle brand operating globally under the Geely Group umbrella. If that sounds familiar to you it’s likely because Geely also owns Volvo and its electric counterpart, Polestar.

The brand has three models for sale globally, two of which will land down under soon.

First will be the Zeekr 009, a spacious family vehicle available in six- or seven-seat configurations, boasting impressive performance and a driving range of up to 800 kilometres.

Additionally, Zeekr plans to introduce a compact SUV, the Zeekr X, positioned as a competitor to the BMW iX1.

5

Neta

Neta, a brand of Hozon Auto, is another emerging EV maker, gaining recognition in the competitive EV market.

Launched in 2018 and headquartered in Zhejiang, China, Neta focuses on producing affordable and accessible EVs, aiming to make sustainable transportation widely available.

But it's the international expansion where Neta wants to shine, as it's building a plant in Thailand to make right-hand-drive vehicles.

In October, Neta announced its entry to the Middle East, and this month the company disclosed it will sell vehicles in the Latin American market, starting with Costa Rica, with the intention to launch in Europe soon after.