My other car’s Chinese

The second wave of Chinese cars for overseas markets looks like delivering.

The story of Chinese car imports has been patchy, however the second wave suggests they are here to stay.

The story of Chinese car imports has been patchy, with many makers trying their luck but few survivors so far. However the second wave, led by SAIC badges MG and LDV, plus a factory-run Great Wall operation, suggests they are here to stay. Beijing’s policy settings will help, along with the ability - soon - to offer affordable electric vehicles.

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Chery
Small cars, SUV
Three budget models were imported by Ateco from 2011 and for a while, the J1 was Australia’s cheapest car — but plagued by safety concerns. Sales boomed initially but rapidly fell away.

2018 sales: 1

Chery.

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Foton
Utes, trucks
For a couple of years shipped in by Ateco, sales peaked at 700 in 2014. Failed to establish itself due to the lack of an automatic transmission.

2018 sales: 0

Foton.

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Geely
Luxury and sports cars
Briefly in Australia under its own badge early this decade, China’s most high-profile car company is now here by default through its ownership of Volvo, Lotus, Proton and 10 per cent of Daimler, maker of Mercedes.

2018 sales: 6750 (Volvo, Lotus, Proton)

Geely.

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Great Wall
Utes, SUVs
Originally imported by Ateco a decade ago, Great Wall was one of our first Chinese brands and the most successful so far, with 11,000 buyers in 2012. The deal ended in 2015 and Great Wall took over its own distribution a year later, with an HQ in Melbourne. It now offers just one ute, the Steed. Demand is well down from its peak, but increasing fast.

2018 sales: 784

Great Wall Steed.

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Haval
SUVs
A Great Wall brand that aims more upmarket. Four models since 2016, starting with H2 compact SUV. Sales rising quickly off a low base.

2018 sales: 633

Haval.

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JMC
Utes
Arrived in 2014 with the Vigus ute, sold through a handful of dealerships. Withdrew last year.

2018 sales: 0

JMC Vigus.

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LDV(Maxus in other markets)
Light commercials, utes and SUVs
Briefly with another distributor, LDV has become Ateco’s main Chinese venture over the past four years. A division of Chinese giant SAIC, its budget vans are popular as delivery vehicles while its fully laden SUVs compete on price against the Koreans. Steady expansion with demand up 9 per cent this year.

2018 sales: 6064

LDV.

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MG
Small cars and SUVs
After failing to gain Australian compliance under a distributor, MG took control in 2016 and is now expanding exponentially. Also part of SAIC, its network includes 39 dealers and sales this year are up 250 per cent. Next year it will be the first Chinese brand to offer an electric vehicle here.

2018 sales: 3007

MG.

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