GWM Haval Reviews

Toyota’s new-gen Corolla Cross will be here in less than two years and it’ll look exactly like a baby RAV4, according to the almost-always-right Japanese motoring publication Best Car.Sure, Toyota has only just given the current Corolla Cross an update with a redesigned grille and upgraded cabin features, but Japan’s Best Car magazines’s latest issue reveals the totally new next-gen will arrive in 2028 and look just like it’s big sister - the RAV4.Dubbed "Baby RAV4" by Best Car, it adopts the new RAV4’s C-shaped LED headlight and daytime running light styling and grille treatment along with other exterior design elements.The magazine’s front page shows an artist's impression of the Corolla Cross looking a bit sleeker than the taller and larger RAV4 but the resemblance is striking — from the grille, which varies depending on the grade, to the tough looking black moulded wheel guards and sloping rear pillar.Best Car got word from those in the know that the new Corolla Cross will be slightly longer and wider. Currently the little SUV is just 4460mm long, 1825mm wide and 1620mm tall, or about the same size as rivals like the GWM Haval Jolion or Kia Seltos. Best Car says the next-gen Corolla Cross will be 4650mm long and 1850mm wide tall, but a smidge shorter in height at 1600mm. These new dimensions will give the Corolla Cross a sleeker, beefier, more planted look, and apart from having more visual appeal could help handling and dynamics, but what would it do to headroom inside?Best Car also hears the next-gen Corolla Cross GR Sport will have a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a plug-in hybrid system and share the same suspension as the new Corolla GR Sport with front struts and rear double wishbones.All new-gen variants of the new Corolla Cross will also use an upgraded version of the TNGA-C platform, with a sixth-generation hybrid system.The Corolla Cross is one of Toyota's best-selling models with 1687 sold in march this year, but that’s not enough to put it ahead of cheaper rivals such as the GWM Haval Jolion, Chery Tiggo 4 or Hyundai Kona. A new sportier look for the Corolla Cross and more fuel efficient powertrains would possibly go a long way to closing the sales gap.So when can we expect to see the new gen Corolla Cross in real life? Well Best Car reckons it will come not long after the arrival of the next-gen Corolla which we might see in late 2027. Best bet is 2028 and of course, we’ll only truly start to know what it looks like when Toyota starts testing it out in the wild.

GWM will axe its Ora electric hatchback from sale in Australia - at least for now.The Ora is GWM’s only EV currently on sale in Australia, with a starting price of $35,990 (drive-away). Up-spec models of the Ora start from $37,990 and $38,990, drive-away.The Ora has been subject to several price drops since its introduction to the Australia market in the middle of 2023 as it battled increasingly diverse budget rivals.There remains limited stock available on the outgoing Ora.It has tried to keep price parity with other cheap EVs, including the BYD Dolphin, but more competition in the form of the GAC Aion UT and MG4 Urban will arrive soon.The Ora comes with a single electric motor producing 125kW and 250Nm, with its 57.7kWh battery providing up to 400km of driving range.  It now appears GWM has decided to shift focus to its new EV.The Ora’s departure coincides with the arrival of the larger Ora 5 electric SUV, which will come in $2000 cheaper than the Ora, starting from $33,990 (drive-away). This might not be the last the we here of the Ora in Australia, with potential for the car to make a return in the near future.GWM currently sells plug-less and plug-in hybrid versions of the Ora overseas and it could line up with plans to diversify the range."In terms of the levels of adoption that we expect to see within this market, within the coming years, we expect (hybrids) to accelerate more quickly," GWM Australia Head of Marketing and Communications Steve Maciver told CarsGuide late last year."We think we can do a lot more with Ora… with plug in hybrid, but EV will certainly come behind that as well, for sure."It can be speculated the revamped Ora lineup in Australia could launch before the end of the year, and it would likely have fit under the $33,990 price tag of the Ora 5 SUV.While the Ora 5 is the GWM’s only confirmed future EV, the brand will continue to bring across new plug-in hybrid models, such as on the rugged Tank 300 and Tank 500 off-roaders.GWM is experiencing serious growth Down Under currently, with a near-enough 30 per cent month-on-month increase as per the latest numbers.

Australians are spoiled for affordable electric cars.GWM revealed the Ora 5 electric SUV at the 2026 Melbourne motor, with prices starting from $33,990, drive-away.It will go head-to-head with the BYD Atto 2 ($31,990, before on-road costs) and the MG4 Urban ($31,990, drive-away).The Ora 5 is the second model in the brand’s burgeoning electric vehicle line-up, joining the smaller Ora hatchback.This new breed of electric vehicle has taken the fight to big name mainstream brands, with prices the same or cheaper than the petrol or hybrid alternatives offered by conventional carmakers.The Ora 5 is available in two grades: Lux and Ultra, both using the same 150kW/260Nm single motor to drive the front wheels.At its heart is a circa-58kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a driving range of 420km via the benchmark WLTC testing regime.That range trumps the Atto 2 and MG4 Urban by a considerable margin.The Ora 5 continues the cutesy looks of the Ora hatchback, with its rounded shape and bubble headlights. It is also available in some eye-popping colour such as a vibrant blue, deep green and fluoro pink.Inside there is plenty of tech, with big screens and multiple active driver aids.The Ora 5 is expected to land in local showroom from June, 2026.2026 GWM Ora 5 price Australia 2026 GWM Ora 5 engine/powertrain and efficiency 4. 2026 GWM Ora 5 standard featuresGWM Ora 5 Lux standard features18-inch alloy wheelsRoof railsRain-sensing wipersAuto LED headlightsDaytime Running Lights (DRLS)Follow-me-home headlightsLED tail-lightsSmart keyless entryRear privacy glass10.25-inch digital instrument displayFour-way steering column adjustment14.6-inch touchscreenWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoBluetoothSix-speaker stereoDigital radioFront USB outlets (USB-A & USB-C)Rear USB outlets (USB-C)Synthetic leather wrapped steering wheelSynthetic leather seatsSix-way power adjustable driver's seatFour-way manual adjustable passenger seatSingle zone climate with rear ventsSpace saver spare tyreGWM Ora 5 Ultra adds:Electric tailgatePanoramic glass roof with electric sunshadeHeated side mirrors with auto foldDual-zone climate controlHeated steering wheelHeated & ventilated front seatsDriver memory seatFour-way power adjustable passenger seatWireless phone charger64 colour interior ambient lighting9 speaker stereo6. 2026 GWm Ora 5 coloursThe new Ora 5 is available in five colours including white, black, blue, green and pink7. 2026 GWM Ora 5 safetyThe GWM Ora 5 has not been ANCAP crash test yet.Standard safety equipment across the range includes:Seven airbagsBird’s eye view camera system with transparent viewTyre pressure monitoring systemBlind spot monitorAuto emergency brakingLane keep assistLane departure warningJunction assistTraffic sign recognitionRear cross-traffic alertRear collision alertDriver fatigue monitoringChild presence detectionISOFIX child seat anchors8. 2026 GWM Ora 5 warranty and servicingGWM backs its vehicles with a seven year/unlimited km warranty and the drive battery is guaranteed for eight years/unlimited km.GWM has not revealed servicing costs or intervals for the Ora 5.9. 2026 GWM Ora 5  dimensions  

GWM Australia has officially confirmed a larger version of its Ora will land in Australia this year, with a first showing at the Melbourne Motor Show this weekend.The 2026 GWM Ora 5, an SUV version of the electric car that hasn’t quite set the sales charts alight, is what the brand refers to as the “next phase” of its electrification in Australia.It went on sale in Thailand, also a right-hand drive market, last month, with prices starting at the equivalent of about $31,000. This puts it head-to-head with the BYD Atto 2.The Ora 5 is also available as a hybrid overseas.While the car on display and earmarked for Australia is being referred to as an “all-electric small SUV” by GWM Australia at the moment, it’s not clear if there are plans to bring its hybrid version here.“HEV represents a new addition to the ORA range expanding beyond its existing BEV offering,” a GWM spokesperson said. “At this stage, the only information we can share is that all options remain under investigation for the ANZ region.”Features like a panoramic glass roof, power tailgate, 18-inch alloys and LED headlights are standard for the Ora 5, while a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine is the unit helping power the hybrid version.Claimed range for the EV is “up to” 430km tested under WLTP methods, which means it could be a realistic 400km+ EV range.The GWM Ora 5’s reveal at the Melbourne Motor Show will feature alongside displays of the plug-in hybrid versions of the Tank 500, new Tank 300, Cannon Alpha, Haval H6 and the Haval H6GT.

GWM’s first Aussie-focused cars have arrived.The updated Haval H6 has landed in local dealerships, and while there hasn't been any change to standard inclusions or engines there is a big change you can't see.The upgraded H6 is the first of the Chinese brand's vehicles to be tweaked by its local engineering program. Dubbed AT-1, the local ride and handling program is headed up by former Holden engineer Rob Trubiani and it has localised some elements of GWM vehicles, specifically ride, handling and advanced driver assistance features.The GWM local tuning operation follows in the footsteps of Kia's successful program, which has helped grow the Korean marque into a top three selling car band in Australia.The idea is to elevate the H6 to better battle more refined rivals such as the Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4.It isn’t just a one size fits all approach for GWM, with the company developing five different set-ups to cover all the different H6 variants from petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid power and front- and all-wheel drive.  GWM claims the process hasn’t stopped and it will continue to tinker and tweak the vehicles based on real world insights, customer feedback and usage.GWM Australia's Chief Operating Officer John Kett said he wanted the local outfit to be recognised for influencing the brands global vehicles.“AT-1 reflects the investment GWM has made in our ANZ team and the support we receive from our head office,” said Kett.“With Rob joining the GWM family, we are leading the way, adjusting vehicles on real roads and taking those insights back to China to shape the next generation of products. Our Chinese management is listening and engaged; they want us to push the envelope.”Rob Trubiani said the refinements made to the H6 would make it a more resolved and capable vehicle.“The objective of the AT-1 philosophy is to create a more unified and intuitive driving experience, specifically tuned for Australian conditions. The result is a more cohesive and assured character, with improvements evident across everyday driving scenarios," said Trubiani.GWM is going to roll the program out to more vehicles in its range in the future.

Haval has revealed its upcoming flagship SUV, which has been frequently spotted in China in previous months.The new Haval SUV will top-out GWM’s Haval SUV range, sharing its boxy traditional 4x4 design with the Haval H9, which sits below it.Riding on the brand’s new premier GWM One platform, which also underpins the more luxurious Wey V9X that was revealed last month. The Haval flagship SUV will serve as a more rugged alternative to the V9X.The brand is also expected to show off a Tank 900 flagship built on this platform, which should be the most hardcore of the three models.GWM’s Haval division is yet to name this LandCruiser rival, opening up an online naming petition in China, similarly to the upcoming Chery diesel ute in Australia.There are few official details, but it is expected to share its Super Hi4 plug-in hybrid system with the Wey V9X, which consists of a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a large battery with an 800-volt architecture and electric motors on each axle with a new four-speed hybrid transmission.Styling details make it look like an enlarged and more contemporary version of the smaller Haval H9, which is not sold in Australia. It offers an upright stance, long flat roofline, high profile tyres, and a squared-off Land Rover Defender-style side-opening tailgate with a rear-mounted spare wheel.Both the front and rear feature new LED lighting signatures, with quad headlight clusters at the front, and more Tank-style upright LED clusters at the rear.Its nearly filled-in grille wears ‘Haval’ badging across the front, much like the current Toyota Prado, while ‘GWM’ appears on its colour-matching rear tyre cover.The interior is yet to be shown by the brand but should debut new elements for the Haval brand to go with its new platform and flagship aspirations.Dimensions are also yet to be revealed, but expect this new Haval to span over five meters long. It will serve as a rival to the LandCruiser 300 Series and the upcoming Nissan Y63 Patrol and Mitsubishi Pajero, but will more likely go head-to-head on spec and price with fellow plug-in rivals from China like the Denza B8 and upcoming offerings from Geely, GAC and Chery.Despite being Haval’s flagship offering though, GWM may not choose to offer it in Australia, as the local division looks to maintain the unique market position of its Tank off-road brand. This has previously been offered as one reason it doesn’t sell the Haval H9, as it is too close in pricing and specification to the Tank 300 or Tank 500 to make sense as part of the more road-going Haval marque's line-up.It would be unsurprising to see the yet-to-be-revealed Tank 900 to be offered as a flagship instead.GWM has also thus far ruled out the V6 twin-turbo Tank 700 plug-in hybrid for the Australian market, saying we might get it in next-generation form at some point down the track.In the shorter term, expect to see more from GWM on the EV and hybrid front as it looks to capitalise on an increasingly tight emissions environment and sky-high fuel prices.The GWM Ora 5 in hybrid and electric form is expected to make its debut in Australia imminently, and a new punchier 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine will give Isuzu a run for its money in the off-road segment, with the larger engine plotted to be placed in the Tank 500 SUV and Cannon Alpha ute.The company’s Wey luxury arm is also plotted to land later in 2026 with the Wey G9 hybrid people mover, opening the door to a range of luxury PHEV SUVs and the Range Rover-rivalling V9X in the future.

Chinese brand GAC has shown official camouflage pictures of a brand new plug-in hybrid off-roader, which will debut a new platform and direction for the Toyota-allied brand.Codenamed T75, the new off-roader will debut at the Beijing Motor Show in late April. The brand confirms it will be a plug-in hybrid as evidenced by two flaps on both sides above the rear wheel arch.The overall appearance confirms the new GAC off-roader will follow in the footsteps of the Denza B5 from BYD’s premium arm, leaning into the traditional boxy off-road appeal, complete with a tailgate-mounted spare wheel and high-profile tyres.The new images also show real door handles (as opposed to the kinds of previously-popular flush door handles currently being targeted by Chinese regulators), and a grille-free face. The brand is yet to reveal the new SUV’s light profile, although unlike some concept vehicles, the images show the T75 with real wing mirrors.It is a stark new design direction for GAC, leaving behind the large-grille design of its hybrid GS8 large SUV. Chinese media is reporting the T75 has been in the works at GAC since at least 2024, and the company has invested over the equivalent of $100 million in the project.This new GAC off-roader could also be our first hint at the brand’s recently confirmed upcoming dual-cab ute.The ute is due in 2027 and the company’s local CEO Kevin Shu said it was likely we’d learn more about it at Beijing in late April.If the new ute does share its underpinnings with this new plug-in hybrid off-roader, it will pit GAC’s dual-pronged off-road offering head-to-head with the BYD Shark 6 and the related Denza B5, which both use a petrol plug-in hybrid set-up.This space is becoming increasingly heated, with many Chinese brands moving into the off-road space, using Australia as a trial-by-fire for their range of new products. Not only is the Denza B5 and Tank 500 already in this plug-in off-road space, but Geely is also set to enter the fray before long with its Galaxy Cruiser 700.

Utes have been affected substantially by increasing fuel prices, thanks to their large fuel tanks and often thirsty turbo-diesel engines.Diesel fuel prices have jumped to more than $3 per litre, making filling up a diesel ute more expensive than ever.CarsGuide has compiled a list of all the diesel dual-cab pick-up utes on sale, calculating the yearly cost of each at $3.07 per litre (the average price in NSW on 31/3/26) over 15,000km.Isuzu Ute’s D-Max and Mazda BT-50 2.2-litre turbo-diesel variants are the efficiency leaders. The mechanically identical pair of utes cost $3038.02 in fuel in a year, averaging 6.6L/100km.The Ford Ranger’s single turbo-diesel 2.0-litre is next on the list, averaging 6.9L/100km, which equates to $3177.45 over 15,000km. The new mild hybrid Toyota HiLux also has a competitive efficiency figure of 7.1L/100km, which is a little cheaper in fuel than the standard turbo-diesel variants. Three-litre variants of the BT-50 and D-Max vary in cost, given fuel consumption fluctuates between 7.1L/100km and 7.8L/100km depending on the variant.The KGM Musso is one of the thirstiest of the utes, with its up to 9.0L/100km, costing more than $4000 over the course of a year.  The GWM Cannon Alpha diesel was the other ute to exceed the $4000 mark. Concluding the list are the gas guzzling full-size American pick-ups, in Ram’s 2500 and the Chevrolet Silverado HD. Both have V8 diesel engines with a capacity of more than 6.0-litres, meaning they cost more than $7000 over the course of a year.2026 ute fuel figures Australia  *Dependent on variant**Ram does not provide official figures for fuel consumption. This figure is sourced from CarsGuide's real world testing.***Chevrolet does not provide official figures for fuel consumption. This figure is sourced from CarsGuide's real world testing.

Don’t for a second put up with politicians trying to shift any of the blame for fuel shortages onto panic buying or people filling up a few jerry cans. The government has not only known about the possibility of running out of fuel, but it ensured it happened through a risky practice that it had been warned about for years.As the war in the Middle East escalates and enters its second month the global economy is creaking under the pressure of petrol and diesel shortages, with Iran permitting very few oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz - the crucial shipping lane linking oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the UAE to the world. Iran’s holding 20 per cent of the world’s oil hostage wasn’t unforeseen. Fuel security experts have been well aware of the risk for decades. Six years ago CarsGuide published the story I wrote of the risk of a war with Iran causing a fuel shortage. In the story former Royal Australia Air Force Deputy Chief John Blackburn, now a consultant on defence and national security, said Australia's lack of larger fuel reserves was a huge risk.As of late March, 2026, Australia had 30 days of diesel and 39 days of petrol left. Jet fuel was down to just 30 days, too.“The issue is the government doesn’t mandate that industry has to hold minimum stock levels. Most other developed countries do,” Blackburn said.“My view is the government isn’t keen on doing it because it has a free market approach. Now if there are no risks around, then that makes economic sense. But this idea that during peace time we’ll just let the market run and in war time we’ll do something else is outdated because there is no such thing as peace time any more.”So the government knew the risks and was willing to take them and work it out later if a problem ever arose. And when I say government I’m not referring to Labor or Liberal, I’m mean both, because it has been the same policy of both sides over successive governments.  The problem is now here and you can hear the concern in politician voices - this is an incredibly worrying situation that won’t right itself the day after the Strait of Hormuz is reopened. And there has been no attempt by any successive government over the years to change this practice. As Blackburn said, if we were to take up electric cars, which are powered by the electricity we made ourselves, then the fuel supply would be as secure as it could get."If you want to reduce demand you need to diversify the types of energy cars and trucks use… electricity will be absolutely critical to this. The good thing with electricity and also hydrogen vehicles is that we can generate the electricity and the hydrogen in Australia – 100 per cent of it. We don’t have to be 90 per cent dependent on imported diesel, unleaded and jet fuel as we are today.”And as the Government scrambles to produce modelling that will tell us exactly how long we have left before the Hunger Games start, there still doesn’t appear to be any thought going into how we can decouple from petrol and diesel and transition to electric.Because the cars are here and the infrastructure is now rolling out fast. I’ve been writing car news for 15 years and I’ve watched the big take up of EVs and I’ve also watched the government do nothing to incentivise it as well.Chinese brands such as BYD, Geely, Zeekr, Chery, MG and GWM have such production capability that we’ve been told quietly that vehicle supply is not a problem - name a number and it’ll be here on the next boat.That’s a frightening prospect to the Ford, Honda and even Toyotas of this world that are scrambling to work out what to do and which Chinese brand to join because beating them is no longer an option. Look, I have no doubt everything will be fine, but I can’t stress enough that we shouldn’t be letting it get this close again to realise that electric vehicles are the only way to secure our country better from fuel threats. And hydrogen will work for long haul trucks no problem at all - it’s already being tested by big names you’re familiar with already and is just around the corner.In the meantime don’t accept the blame for the fuel shortage - it’s not you using too much, it’s them not buying enough in the first place.

Last year saw a paradigm shift in Australia’s new-car market.The introduction of the government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) catapulted Australia’s emissions regime from the 1980s into the 21st century, and many brands began re-thinking their line-ups in Australia as the clock started on tough fines.Perhaps the biggest and most unprecedented change was the rise of the BYD Shark 6, which pretty much single-handedly proved the dual-cab ute class can be electrified, while the Chinese juggernaut stormed its way up the charts, helping to permanently re-shape the make-up of Australia’s favourite automakers.In the first months of 2026, the shift has continued. China has now become the number one source of new cars to Australia, finally taking over from Japan and Thailand.But what can we expect to look back on by the end of this year? What will change and how will your new car buying experience be re-shaped?Making predictions is always dangerous, but with another fuel crisis hitting hard, we can be fairly certain of at least a few outcomes — let’s see what we think.The dawn of the diesel-hybridChery’s headline-grabbing news from the past few months has been the confirmation of its upcoming diesel hybrid ute, codenamed KP31, for Australia.The upcoming and much-hyped Chery ute will bring what many buyers are asking for - diesel capability with plug-in hybrid fuel consumption.We know more about this upcoming ute thanks to its reveal in China under Chery’s commercial arm, Rely.It will use a new ground-up ‘Kaitan’ platform, and will maintain solid links to the axles - more like GWM’s Cannon Alpha PHEV than the BYD Shark 6.It will also be hoping to seize on the plug-in hybrid ute trend, which BYD has kick-started, and many of its rivals are now seeking to emulate. Whether the extra capability and allure of diesel is enough to make it the next hot thing in dual-cabs remains to be seen.More storied automakers will look to China for helpNissan has made it fairly clear that it will look to China for help, with its appealing range of Chinese-built vehicles benefitting from Chinese hybrid and EV know-how and rapid development cycles. The latter, which has become known as ‘China Speed’ in the industry, will cut the time it takes to do things that once meant long waits, like the conversion to right-hand drive and the various changes required to meet compliance regulations in obscure markets like Australia.No doubt Nissan’s most sought-after Chinese-built model will be the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid dual-cab, long suggested by executives to be an emissions-friendly alternative to be sold alongside the Mitsubishi Triton-based new-generation Navara in the Australian market.Nissan’s Chinese portfolio doesn’t end there. The brand also has an array of well-received-in-China electric cars, including the N7 sedan and upcoming NX8 SUV as ideal replacements for its ageing Pathfinder, and NVES-friendly supplemental models to the hybrid X-Trail and Qashqai.Nissan certainly isn’t the only brand that might be forced to turn more to China to bolster its line-up. Ford, facing a particular cliff with NVES in the coming years thanks to its diesel-heavy sales footprint of Rangers and Everests might need to import cars like the Chinese ‘New-Energy’ plug-in hybrid Ford Bronco (related to the American Ford Bronco in design only) as a more appealing emissions-friendly option for its more adventure-curious buyers.Even Toyota, whose line-up is already heavily hybrid may need to turn to its Chinese joint-ventures for more price-sensitive zero emissions models like the GAC Aion V-based bZ3X which was recently announced in right-hand drive for the Hong Kong market. Watch this space.The top-10 will continue to be re-shapedAt the end of 2025 there were three Chinese brands in the top 10 in Australia: GWM in seventh position, BYD in eighth position, and MG in 10th.Already in the first few months of 2026, this ranking has continued to shift. BYD has already unseated GWM as Australia’s favourite Chinese brand and has vaulted Mitsubishi, landing in sixth position through the first two months of the year.This puts it within striking distance of Hyundai in a tightly contested race for a top-three position (there are less than 1000 sales between Mazda, Ford, Kia and Hyundai in the next four positions below Toyota), which BYD bosses bravely predicted for 2026.GWM is holding position in seventh, but Mitsubishi might not be able to hold it at bay for long.Chery is one to watch in 2026, as it has managed to leapfrog MG and clinch eighth position so far this year.Other more recent arrivals from China also have brave top-10 predictions. GAC could be the next brand to leap up the charts following in the footsteps of its contemporaries. While it may seem farfetched now, the Toyota-allied brand has access to the right products at similarly aggressive prices, with hybrids and plug-ins featuring heavily in its line-up, which the brand recently told CarsGuide is set to include a large SUV and ute before long.China-owned MG, too, will be playing defence, launching a range of more affordable vehicles as it looks to hang on to its top-10 position.Thailand is down, but not outThailand at various times has been one of the locations from which most Australian cars are sourced. Toyota, Honda and Ford have historically sourced many models from there, with the current top-selling Ranger, HiLux and D-Max all being sourced from the country.It has dropped down the list, as Chinese-built cars have increasingly been sourced for Australia from both new and historic brands. With even the Kia EV5 and Hyundai Elexio being Chinese-built Korean cars for the Australian market.But Thailand’s importance looks to be re-asserted as more Chinese brands establish strategic manufacturing facilities in the South East Asian auto hub.Obvious advantages are the fact that cars are built there on dedicated right-hand drive production facilities, freeing up space in Chinese factories to focus on other left-hand drive markets, while favourable government kickbacks, a free trade agreement with Australia, and a domestic market with an increasingly large taste for electrified vehicles will keep Thailand important for years to come.Big SUVs will be the next Chinese automaker battlegroundIn case you haven’t noticed, many big Chinese brands have shifted their focus. While utes and affordable hatchbacks and small SUVs continue to be all the rage, in their quest to actually generate profits, many Chinese brands have thrown huge amounts of resources into developing large luxury electric and plug-in hybrid models.The five-meter-long SUV space looks to be the next major battleground for these automakers, with Zeekr’s much-hyped plug-in hybrid 8X large SUV earmarked for an Australian arrival, and no doubt MG’s luxury IM marque will be looking to import versions of its LS8 or LS9.GAC has announced its next move will be a large SUV (likely the car known as the GS8 in China), while Leapmotor will move into new territory with its D16 and BYD’s Great Tang flagship have created some major buzz.Will they sell in Australia? With more fuel-conscious than ever new car buyers still crying out for more affordable electric options than the Kia EV9 for example (from $97,000) and Chinese automakers heavily incentivized to seek higher profit margins in markets like Australia, it seems possible we could be inundated with models like this in the latter part of the year.