MELBOURNE, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese auto brands are gaining ground in Australia as consumers place greater weight on value, technology and running costs, with industry figures and company executives saying the market is becoming more receptive to new energy vehicles.
Chinese brands have built a strong and growing presence in Australia in recent years, Tony Weber, chief executive of Australia's Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), said in a written response to Xinhua.
He said Chinese manufacturers have benefited from competitive pricing, strong warranty offerings and increasingly sophisticated technology, while meeting Australian consumers' demand for value, quality and desired features.
He added that Australia's highly open and competitive automotive market has enabled new entrants to establish themselves quickly when they meet consumer expectations.
Official FCAI data showed that vehicles manufactured in China accounted for about 18 percent of Australia's total new vehicle sales in 2025, up from around 14 percent in 2024, making China Australia's third-largest source of new vehicles for the year. In February 2026, China became Australia's largest source of new vehicles in a single month for the first time, with 22,362 vehicles sold, ahead of Japan, Thailand and South Korea. Japan had been Australia's leading source of vehicles since 1998.
The momentum has been especially visible in the broader new energy vehicle segment, which includes hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). FCAI data showed BEVs accounted for 11.8 percent of total new vehicle sales in February, a record monthly share at the time. In March, FCAI said BEV sales rose to 15,839 units, accounting for 14.6 percent of the market, the highest monthly share on record.
Weber said uncertainty over fuel prices can shift consumer behavior, especially when households weigh long-term running costs. He noted that the increase in BEV sales in March partly reflected growing consumer interest in lower fuel costs amid volatile fuel prices, adding that sustained growth in new energy vehicle uptake would still depend on affordability, infrastructure availability and consumer confidence.
At the Melbourne Motor Show, Paul Ellis, a spokesman for BYD in Australia, told Xinhua that Australian consumers are increasingly embracing new energy vehicles, drawn by a combination of quality, technology, practicality and competitive prices.
BYD has been well-positioned to benefit from that shift because its vehicles offer the latest technology across multiple segments at affordable prices, he said.
Ellis said BYD's production integration within the company, together with its battery capabilities, allows it to bring products to market quickly and affordably, giving it an edge as newer brands compete with long-established automakers. He said this has helped BYD appeal to a wide range of Australian consumers as the market transitions toward new energy vehicles.
He added that Australia's vast geography means charging infrastructure remains crucial not only to vehicle sales but also to the ownership experience, requiring continued coordination among automakers, governments and energy providers.
Ellis said BYD sees itself not simply as a carmaker, but as a new energy technology company, with products and technologies ranging from batteries and home chargers to fast-charging and vehicle-to-load functions.
Weber said Chinese brands are likely to continue expanding their presence in Australia, particularly in new energy vehicles and high-demand segments such as SUVs and light commercial vehicles, as consumers benefit from wider choice, improved technology and robust competition. ■