GAC News

China’s GAC has been teasing an Australian launch for years but it finally appears set to happen later this year.

The days of ultra-cheap Chinese cars could be numbered, as the Chinese government starts to loot at regulating the ongoing price-war being waged between BYD, GWM, SAIC and others.

One of Toyota’s joint-ventures in China has confirmed at a tech conference that its next-generation Highlander SUV - the Kluger to Australians - will be available with a range-extender or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system.GAC Toyota, the two-decade-old Chinese joint-venture between GAC Group and Toyota Motor Company, announced in a presentation that a number of plug-in hybrid models are in development for the Chinese market, many of which may not be necessarily relevant to global markets.But the next-generation Toyota Kluger is a model that will yield high interest here in Australia, so whether the Chinese market development becomes available outside GAC Toyota’s home market is something Australia is likely to have an eye on.Seen on slides at the 2025 GAC Toyota Technology Day via images published on AutoHome, the next-gen Kluger and Sienna people mover both form the range-extender EV (REEV) and plug-in hybrid part of the brand’s multi-pathway approach in China.While the ‘multi-pathway’ term will sound familiar to anyone following Toyota’s global move towards the next generation of powertrains - be that EV, hybridisation, or even hydrogen - in China it might be a more localised version of the philosophy.According to reports, Toyota is decentralising its product planning to better compete in the fast-moving Chinese market, meaning Japan will have less direct involvement in deciding what the GAC Toyota line-up looks like.Traditional hybrid and full BEV models are both a large part of the plan, with the former set to be moving into its sixth generation of development alongside the proliferation of its fifth generation. Toyota’s EV model line-up on the other hand is set to expand, with solid-state batteries to be mass-produced as soon as possible.GAC Toyota exists in China alongside FAW Toyota, which also imports and produces a relatively established line-up of Toyota models for the market and has also existed since the early 2000s. Both GAC and FAW’s Toyota joint-ventures sell a version of the Kluger in China.Toyota is also set to work with Chinese brands like Xiaomi and Huawei to develop technology for future models, while it’s already a couple of years into a joint venture with EV and hybrid car giant BYD (on products like the bZ3 sedan).As recently as 2024, Toyota North America’s General Manager David Christ told CarBuzz that BEVs would be a big part of the US product plan, with the outlet confirming the Highlander (Kluger) would be available as an EV model. It’s not clear if this is still the case, nor whether it would be available in other export markets like Australia.Currently, Australian market Klugers with their hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder powertrains are produced in Toyota’s Motor Manufacturing Indiana plant in the US, along with the related Lexus TX and the Toyota Sienna people-mover.CarsGuide has contacted Toyota Australia for comment regarding the next-gen Kluger and potential collaboration with China.

Australia get ready for another ute from another brand because Chinese carmaker GAC has confirmed it will bring the production version of its GAC Pickup 01 concept Down Under.

Chinese manufacturer GAC has announced plans to expand its right-hand-drive model offering which could mean a bigger line-up for Australia.

Toyota’s newest electric car is making a splash.The bZ3X has launched in China for about $24,000. That’s a shockingly cheap EV.It is also slightly cheaper than the BYD Atto 3 in China, which is a better comparison, and would make it closer to $40,000 if it ever landed here.Toyota only sells its in-house developed bZ4X in Australia, with prices starting at more than $71,000, drive-away.The bZ3X is built as part of Toyota’s partnership with Chinese brand GAC.It shares its underpinnings with GAC’s Aion V electric SUV, which is due to go on sale in Australia this year.In China the bZ3X is available with three different sizes of lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries: 50kWh, 58kWh and 68kWh. Driving range is either 430km, 520km or 610km depending on the size of the battery. All these ranges are calculated using the more lenient China Light-duty vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC), expect range to be about 20 per cent worse if using the benchmark WLTP measurement. It is powered by a single electric motor that makes either 150kW or 165KW, depending on the variant, and drives the front wheels.It is also fitted with advanced self driving technology, which is a major selling point in China. It also has a huge 14.6-inch central multimedia display and a smaller digital driver display.Reports out of China indicate it is already a hit with buyers, with more than 10,000 orders in the first hour.Toyota has given no indication as to whether the bZ3X would be sold outside of China, so the chances of it coming here are low.Never say never, though. Mazda said its EZ-6 electric sedan built with its Chinese partner Changan was only for China, until it wasn’t. That car has been confirmed as the Mazda 6e that will go on sale in Europe and fellow right-hand drive market the UK, which opens the door for Mazda’s formerly China-only EV to be sold here.

Chinese automotive giant GAC has officially launched the Aion UT, an uber-cheap electric hatchback positioned for the global market. Priced at just CNY9600 (A$15,466) in China, the brand’s incoming model is shaping up as a strong chance for Australia as its electric sub-brand gears for a local launch next quarter with the Aion V SUV.

Chinese car giant GAC will launch its 1000km Trumpchi S7 plug-in hybrid within weeks in its home country and we have the vital specs on this large SUV ahead of the brand’s launch in Australia in 2025.

Could this big Chinese automaker be about to launch Australia's next most affordable electric car?

One of the latest Chinese automotive manufacturers to confirm an Australian launch has ambitious targets that could see it outsell a number or established brands.