Australia is one of the most open right-hand-drive markets, where GWM, MG and BYD already sit among the top-selling brands and PHEV utes are the new battleground.

China becomes the #2 source

Australia is one of the most open right-hand-drive markets, and Chinese automakers have surged into it. China-made vehicles reached about 221,700 units in 2025 (up roughly 26%) — over 252,000 including the China-built Tesla and Polestar — making China the #2 source of new cars after Japan, at around 17.5% of sales, up from 2.7% in 2020. In August 2025, four Chinese brands sat in the national top ten simultaneously for the first time: BYD, GWM, MG and Chery. GWM was the top-selling Chinese brand for the year, while Chery grew fastest (up around 177%) and BYD up around 156%.

Models and the ute battleground

Chinese brands compete across both EV and ICE. Best-sellers include the GWM Haval Jolion and H6, MG ZS, MG3 and MG4, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (which hit a record #4 overall in November 2025) and Omoda E5. The breakout segment is PHEV utes: the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha opened a new front against the traditional diesel ute establishment. A wave of cheap EVs — the BYD Atto 1, Geely EX2 and MG4 Urban — is landing in 2026, setting up a price war, with XPeng, Zeekr and Leapmotor also entering.

Policy tailwinds and New Zealand

Two policies help. Chinese cars enter duty-free under the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement (in force since 2015), and the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which began in January 2025 and tightens through 2029, favours the low-emission EVs and PHEVs that Chinese brands supply — analysts project China could become Australia's #1 car source. New Zealand mirrors the trend: Chinese-owned brands are around 13.5% of the market, with MG, GWM, BYD and Chery the main players and popular PHEV SUVs such as the BYD Sealion 6, GWM Haval H6 and Jaecoo J7.

Figures are 2025 full-year via VFACTS/FCAI and local trackers.

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