A relatively unknown name hasn’t stopped Chinese car brands such as BYD, Chery and Geely from growing rapidly in Australia.
But while new Chinese brands are launching temptingly priced, feature-packed models, there are many Australians who remain loyal to the more established brands in our country.
This could be because they have always shopped with one of these brands, or because they live in regions where some of these newcomer brands don’t have retailers, or because they keep returning to the same retailers.
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Ford, Mazda and Nissan have had problems in recent years with their plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) or electric vehicles (EVs), or both.
Now they are looking to their Chinese joint ventures to introduce new vehicles that will either fill a gap in their offering or allow them to offer something more unique or competitively priced.
Ford is expected to launch an electric Bronco from China; Nissan is expected to launch the plug-in hybrid Frontier Pro ute and possibly the N7 electric sedan and NX8 SUV; and Mazda has already secured the 6e electric sedan and CX-6e electric SUV for our market.
All of these were developed with Chinese partners but carry badges more familiar to the wider Australian population.
What are we most looking forward to?
Marton Pettendy, Editor-in-Chief
Nissan Frontier Pro
It’s not officially registered for Australia yet – that’s expected to happen later this month after dealers received confirmation last November – but the Nissan Frontier Pro is the Chinese model from a non-Chinese brand that I’m most excited about.
The all-new plug-in hybrid dual-cab SUV is expected to arrive in local showrooms next year alongside the new Mitsubishi Triton-based Navara, giving Nissan not only a direct competitor to the popular BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and Ford Ranger PHEV, but also a number of other PHEV SUVs due to launch here this year, including the JAC Hunter and Chery Australia’s first UTE.
The Frontier Pro is based on Dongfeng’s Z9 ute, rather than the previous Navara-derived Frontier pickup D40 sold in the US. It is Nissan’s first PHEV model in the world and its first electrified ute. Therefore, not only should it be packed with technology at a reasonable price, but it should also be backed by a 10-year guarantee.
And if preliminary specifications are any guide, it will deliver performance comparable to – if not better than – any other PHEV vehicle currently available.
Powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and a transmission-mounted electric motor, it delivers a total system power of 300kW and 800Nm of torque, a claimed electric range of 135km (CLTC) and fuel consumption of 6.9L/100km.
Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability means you can power electrical devices via 6kW sockets in the tub, braked towing capacity is 3500kg, wading depth is 700mm and off-road capability should be good thanks to an electromechanically locking rear differential.
William Stopford, news editor
Mazda 6e
For a while, it seemed as if the mainstream midsize car segment would follow the same path as the light and full-size car segments – evaporating until only one or two models remained.
Chinese brands and now Mazda are breathing new life into it. The electric BYD Seal came onto the market in 2023, the petrol-powered MG 7 followed in recent months and now the Mazda 6e is coming in the middle of the year – based on a platform from the Chinese giant Changan’s Deepal brand.
It is an indirect, all-electric replacement for the Mazda 6 (a range-extended EV version is only available for China) and is Mazda’s first midsize liftback since 2012.
When it was revealed in 2024, I thought its exterior fit in well with the rest of the Mazda range, but its interior was a dramatic departure. But now that the CX-5 ditches physical controls for a giant touchscreen, the 6e has company.
There’s no dual-motor, all-wheel-drive variant that will cradle you in your seat like a Tesla Model 3 Performance or BYD Seal Performance, but the Mazda 6e looks like a particularly attractive option for midsize car enthusiasts who want to go electric.
The price is also high, although it’s a shame that you can’t get the beautiful Nightfall Violet paint of the accompanying CX-6e SUV, which will probably outperform it many times over.
Now I just have to drive it…
Damion Smy, deputy news editor
Smart #2
The Smart #2 could be a real game-changer as it returns to the brand’s previous ethos – combining space-saving, characterful design with extremely economical, peppy powertrains.
That means a small, pretty exterior measuring just 2792mm long, a turning circle of 6.95 meters, just two seats and an electric drive with a range of 300km – which would cover my journey back to New York Daily Sparkz Office for exactly 23.8 days…
I like the BYD Atto 1 as a cheap and cheerful city car, but at least in concept form the Smart #2 adds a level of personality and detail that the BYD didn’t quite nail.
It certainly won’t be that cheap, but the number 2 could be the Smart we’ve been waiting for.
Ben Zachariah, road testing editor
Mazda 6e
There has been a lot of talk about the massive change in the automotive industry – arguably the biggest change since the Ford Model T revolutionized vehicle production.
But while change can be scary, there’s a lot to look forward to, and Mazda seems to be one of the brands that’s just finding its rhythm.
That’s why I’m quietly excited at the prospect of the Mazda 6e coming to Australia, and I suspect local buyers looking for an alternative to the Tesla Model 3 will be drawn to it.
Firstly, the design. Mazda has an annoying track record of teasing us with beautiful concept cars that never materialize – but that’s not the case with the 6e.
It’s quite impressive without being overly risqué, busy or intrusive. It has a classic sedan liftback shape, but still offers something fresh and attractive. Tesla may have models called S, 3, X, Y, but if I were from New Zealand I would think the Mazda is more like 6e.
Then there is the interior. Mazda has hit a home run with its interiors lately, with design, colors, materials and build quality all meeting a very high standard.
Finally, Mazda Australia surprised us when it announced the 6e would be priced at less than $50,000 before on-road costs for the GT variant. With a 190kW/290Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels and a range of 560km, it ticks many boxes.
Sean Lander, video producer
Ford Bronco New Energy
Sure, it’s not a real Bronco per se and it’s certainly not 100 percent confirmed for Australia yet, but it’s packed with great technology and backed by a brand that I personally trust, considering my family has owned various Ford vehicles for over 70 years.
There are cool variant names like “Basecamp” and electric or range-extended electric powertrains. It is large and has a large battery, a long range and great performance values.
While it may not be a full-on, all-American, freedom-flag-waving Bronco, it will probably be pretty good and fairly priced. What excites me.
You’ll probably get further than OJ too, but I don’t recommend you try…
Josh Nevett, deputy marketplace editor
Mazda 6e
There’s a lot to like about this spiritual successor to the ever-popular Mazda 6.
As a rear-wheel-drive electric vehicle with a Mazda badge, the 6e should theoretically offer instant torque around town and responsive dynamics when the road gets twisty. Mazda has also nailed the design of the 6e – it looks elegant and sporty, but isn’t over-styled.
The price is also about right. You can get behind the wheel of an introductory model for $49,990 (excluding ORCs) – almost $5,000 less than you’d pay for an entry-level Tesla Model 3.
The best part? It’s not an SUV! So I can’t wait to take the 6e for a spin later this year.
Max Davies, marketplace journalist
Mazda 6e
While I’m excited about the 6e, I’m also interested to see how it performs for Mazda Australia once it goes on sale.
Sedans always seem like an afterthought to me – quite justified given Australia’s penchant for SUVs and small cars – and that’s why I’m glad Mazda will fill the space left by the old 6 with something that, on paper at least, feels like a spiritual successor. The question is whether the buying public feels the same way.
It has a lot going for it: it looks brilliant, is priced competitively compared to its main rivals and has a well-established dealer network run by a very experienced brand. The touchscreen on the dashboard, which doesn’t resemble the Mazda iPad, impresses me less, but perhaps the most important question is whether people want a larger electric sedan, especially if it’s sold alongside a new electric SUV with the same base.
Still, it’s the 6e that I’ve had my eye on since its launch, and I find it encouraging that Mazda appears to be taking its time with local development. All we can ask for is a comfortable, pleasant-to-drive sedan that’s also easy to drive, has good steering, decent handling and reasonable power outputs – rear-wheel drive is an excellent start.
MORE: All Chinese car brands coming to Australia in 2026 and beyond
