Chinese cars, are they as bad as everyone thinks?

This Is Why Chinese Cars Are Taking Over In Australia - Auto Expert John Cadogan​

Chinese cars are taking market share in Australia at an extraordinary rate — and the reason is becoming increasingly obvious.

In this video I compare the new Jaecoo J7 SHS-P directly with its Japanese PHEV rivals, including the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander and Mazda CX-60.

The conclusion is pretty stark. In both 2WD and AWD form, the Jaecoo is very close to these established Japanese competitors in power, EV range, equipment and overall capability.

The biggest difference is price. The J7 Summit SHS-P starts at just $44,990 drive-away in 2WD form and $47,990 drive-away with AWD.

That puts it tens of thousands of dollars below some of the Japanese alternatives. And this is probably the clearest explanation yet for why Chinese brands are gaining Australian market share so rapidly.

We have seen this movie before. Japanese carmakers disrupted the established automotive order in the 1970s and 1980s by offering competitive products at compelling prices.

Now China appears to be doing much the same thing — only much faster.
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Chinese brand Li Auto eyes UK launch with i6 SUV

Successful start-up is branching out into Europe and is working on RHD versions of its line-up

Successful Chinese premium start-up Li Auto is on track for a UK launch following its planned European debut with the sleek i6 electric SUV at the Paris motor show in October.

The company will begin sales in right-hand drive markets by the end of the year with vehicles including the i6, founder and CEO Xiang Li said on the company’s most recent earnings call.

Li didn’t specifically mention the UK but we are a key export destination for Chinese EVs thanks to the lack of additional tariffs imposed by the European Union.

Sales of the i6 would begin in European markets in the fourth quarter of this year, Li said on the call late August.

The i6 has been a huge hit in China since launching last year, becoming the third best-selling model outright over the first six months of this year according to retail sales figures from sales aggregator Best Selling Cars Blog.


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FiestaST said:
Chinese brand Li Auto eyes UK launch with i6 SUV

Successful start-up is branching out into Europe and is working on RHD versions of its line-up

Successful Chinese premium start-up Li Auto is on track for a UK launch following its planned European debut with the sleek i6 electric SUV at the Paris motor show in October.

The company will begin sales in right-hand drive markets by the end of the year with vehicles including the i6, founder and CEO Xiang Li said on the company’s most recent earnings call.

Li didn’t specifically mention the UK but we are a key export destination for Chinese EVs thanks to the lack of additional tariffs imposed by the European Union.

Sales of the i6 would begin in European markets in the fourth quarter of this year, Li said on the call late August.

The i6 has been a huge hit in China since launching last year, becoming the third best-selling model outright over the first six months of this year according to retail sales figures from sales aggregator Best Selling Cars Blog.


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Juslike. That second last pic - is it a car or a home theater!
 
Leapmotor B10 (2026) Launch Review

How much does the Leapmotor B10 REEV cost in SA?

The price include a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km service plan. An 8-year/150 000 km battery-pack warranty is also included.

Leapmotor B10 REEV Style R499 900
Leapmotor B10 REEV Design R549 900

Summary

Leapmotor’s B10 proved a pleasant surprise, delivering an efficient and quiet driving experience and thanks to the onboard petrol engine, there’s no concern about longer trips. Its pricing is right in the sweet spot too, bringing considerable value to the table. We can’t wait to spend more time with it.


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JMC Grand Avenue (2026) Price & Specs

The JMC Grand Avenue double cab has arrived in South Africa, with the Chinese brand offering a pair of turbodiesel derivatives at launch. Here’s what they cost…

- Pair of derivatives available at launch
- 2.5TD delivers 155 kW and 500 Nm
- Some 100 mm longer than Ranger DC

Late in 2025, Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) returned to South Africa, kicking off its local operations with the JMC Vigus Pro workhorse bakkie and the Carrying Plus truck, before adding the Vigus double cab in March 2026. And now the JMC Grand Avenue has arrived.

Offered exclusively in double-cab form, the Grand Avenue measures 5 450 mm from nose to tail and has a wheelbase of 3 270 mm. That makes it 115 mm longer than the new Vigus double cab and some 100 mm longer than a Ford Ranger double cab.

The Chinese brand’s new Grand Avenue range comprises a pair of derivatives at launch, each set apart by the number of driven wheels. The Grand Avenue 2.5TD GL 8AT 4×2 is priced at R529 900, while the Grand Avenue 2.5TD GL 8AT 4WD comes in at R579 900.

JMC – which is distributed locally by Salvador Caetano Auto SA (the company that’s also responsible for GAC Motor in Mzansi) – says the Grand Avenue employs a version of the 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine used in the latest Vigus double cab.

In Grand Avenue tune, this oil-burning engine generates 155 kW and 500 Nm (the latter available from 1 500 to 2 400 rpm), outputs that are delivered by a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission. JMC claims a fuel-economy figure of 7.2 L/100 km. Equipped with leaf springs at the rear, this ladder-frame bakkie has a listed payload of 870 kg, while its braked towing capacity comes in at 3 500 kg.

Standard features for the GL grade – the only specification currently available locally, though JMC has suggested the off-road-ready Grand Avenue Pro is coming in 2027 – include 17-inch alloy wheels, a spray-in bedliner, side steps and tailgate assist.

What does the JMC Grand Avenue cost in SA?

DERIVATIVE PRICE

Grand Avenue 2.5TD GL 8AT 4×2 R529 900
Grand Avenue 2.5TD GL 8AT 4WD R579 900

The prices above include a 5-year/200 000 km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km service plan.

 
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