China’s oldest car brand is coming to Australia

Seemingly every Chinese car brand has announced plans to enter the Australian market, from A (Aion) to Z (Zeekr), and it appears the country’s oldest car brand is now poised to make an announcement of its own.

Hongqi, best known for large luxury sedans used to transport dignitaries and high-ranking officials, is reportedly planning an Australian launch this year.

The Straits Times, in an article republished on Hongqi’s Singaporean website, reports the Chinese brand will enter the Australian, UK and Malaysian markets in the second half of 2026.

This follows the brand’s entries into Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong, all of which are right-hand drive markets.

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An Australian Business Number (ABN) listing for a company called Greentech Smart EV Pty Ltd, active from August 2023, was also updated earlier this month to include a pair of business names it’ll operate under: HongQi Australia and HQ ANZ.

Thus far, Hongqi is offering just one model in right-hand drive: the large E-HS9 electric SUV, which entered production in 2020. This is the model with which it entered Europe, though over there it has subsequently introduced others such as the smaller E-HS5 and E-HS7 electric SUVs, and E-H7 electric sedan.

While it has launched in Singapore with just one model, The Straits Times reports word from the brand’s Asia-Pacific boss, Liu Jifang, that “several” additional vehicles will follow within the next 12 months.

The E-HS9 measures 5209mm long, 2010mm wide and 1713mm tall on a 3110mm wheelbase, making it 172mm longer than a Volvo EX90 on a 125mm longer wheelbase.

In right-hand drive markets, it’s only offered with the largest of its battery packs – a huge 120kWh unit – which gives it 515km of WLTP range. It features a 400V electrical system.

Export E-HS9s feature 202kW/306Nm and 160kW/300Nm electric motors for all-wheel drive, giving this large SUV a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds.

As befitting a large luxury SUV, there’s a long list of standard equipment and, as expected of a modern Chinese vehicle, this includes a set of large screens.

The E-HS9 features an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a pair of 15.6-inch touchscreens up front, while other equipment includes a panoramic sunroof, air suspension, matrix LED headlights, and front seats with heating, ventilation and massage.

There are six- or seven-seat configurations available, the former with a pair of second-row captain’s chairs.

“Subtle Chinese motifs appear throughout the cabin – cloud patterns embossed on headrests, jade-tone ambient lighting, a calligraphic badge on the steering wheel – but never overwhelm. This is Eastern luxury rendered with European restraint,” Hongqi says on its Malaysian website.

It’s unclear how much the E-HS9 would cost if it were introduced to Australia.

As a three-row electric SUV from a premium brand – if one unfamiliar to Australians – its closest direct competition would be the six-seat Cadillac Vistiq (from $116,000 before on-road costs in its single Platinum trim) and the aforementioned seven-seat Volvo EX90 (from $106,990 plus on-roads).

Founded in 1958 by First Auto Works (FAW), which was itself established in 1953 to build military and commercial vehicles, Hongqi was the first Chinese auto brand to domestically produce passenger vehicles.

It specialised in limousines for high-ranking Communist Party officials; its name literally translates to “red flag” or “red banner”.

While it still offers these official vehicles, the 2010s saw Hongqi dramatically increase its production volumes by expanding into other segments and targeting private buyers.

In the late 2010s, it belatedly commenced exports and entered its first European market, Norway, in 2021.

Now it’s making up for lost time, with plans to launch 15 new models in Europe, including a mix of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids, by 2028.

Hongqi’s parent FAW is one of the Big Four state-owned car manufacturers in China. The others are Changan, which sells vehicles here via its Deepal brand; SAIC Motor, the parent of LDV and MG; and Dongfeng, which hasn't announced plans for our market but which has vehicles co-developed with Nissan that are set to be sold here.

FAW sells heavy trucks in Australia, but has never offered passenger cars, SUVs or light commercial vehicles here.

Hongqi’s design boss is Giles Taylor, formerly of Rolls-Royce. Reflecting its origins and its name, it still prominently features a red flag-like accent on all of its vehicles’ grilles.

Should Hongqi come to Australia, it won’t be the first premium auto brand out of China to plant a flag here. Geely launched its Zeekr brand Down Under in 2024, while rival Avatr has been spied testing vehicles here.

MORE: Another Chinese luxury brand spied testing in Australia