Electric cars made in China dominate in Australia – watch out legacy carmakers

Whereas attending yesterday’s Australian launch occasion for Chinese language automobile model Chery, I used to be occupied with how solely Chinese language automobile manufacturers MG (ZS EV, MG 4), BYD (Atto 3) and GWM (Ora Cat) have thus far proven severe intent to supply Australians a big provide of inexpensive electrical automobiles (round 50K and beneath) between now and 2030.

Whereas Chery is initially coming into the Australian market with the Omoda 5 small petrol SUV, they introduced the Omoda 5 electrical is more likely to be right here within the first half of 2024.

You might say what concerning the Korean automobile makers?

It’s true that Kia and Hyundai each make some implausible electrical automobiles however thus far they’ve solely supplied these in small batches out there for buy by Australian prospects.

In case you’re fortunate sufficient to win their lotto model ordering system like my colleague Chris who has a Hyundai IONIQ you’ll be very blissful along with your buy. Sadly I haven’t heard of any plans to import many hundreds of Korean electrical automobiles any time quickly.

Seven of the highest ten finest promoting electrical automobiles in Australia final yr (listed beneath) had been both Chinese language manufacturers making their automobiles there or overseas manufacturers like Tesla making their Australian market automobiles in China.

1. Tesla Mannequin 3 – 10877 (made in China)
2. Tesla Mannequin Y – 8717 (made in China)
3. BYD Atto 3 – 2113 (Chinese language model, made in China)
4. Polestar 2 – 1524 (Chinese language model, made in China)
5. MG ZS EV – 1119 (Chinese language model, made in China)
6. Hyundai Kona – 1096
7. Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electrical – 983 (Chinese language model, made in China)
8. Hyundai Ioniq 5 – 756
9. Mercedes-Benz EQA – 624
10. BMW iX3 – 593 (made in China)

Will probably be very fascinating to see the listing of finest promoting electrical automobiles in Australia for 2023 but it surely’s a protected wager that  Tesla will proceed promoting quite a bit and there will probably be vital progress within the numbers of electrical automobiles bought by Chinese language manufacturers.