In Australia this week, Chinese brands competed on price and network size at once: new Haval H7 and Zeekr 7X pricing, a stock-clearing Denza B5 discount, and Chery's Lepas planning its own dealer network.

Pricing moves

GWM's second-generation Haval H7 reached its 130-dealer network with hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions; the Lux Hybrid starts at A$46,990 drive-away, A$45,990 at launch, and the Lux PHEV at A$50,990, or A$49,990 during the launch offer (report). Dealers had received pricing ahead of a November 2 launch (report).

Zeekr kept prices for its updated 2027 7X at A$57,900, A$63,900 and A$72,900 before on-road costs, while adding 25kW and 80Nm to every version; deliveries start in December (report). Denza cut selected 2025-built B5 plug-in hybrids to A$74,990 drive-away, more than A$7,000 below the earlier price, as it clears stock (report). Forthing is adding a A$2,500 gift card to its range-extender model, which starts at A$36,990 drive-away, A$2,000 under the Leapmotor B10 Hybrid's advertised starting price (report).

Networks and brand structure

Lepas plans to open 23 dealerships in November 2026, separate from Chery's network, and does not expect to need more than 50 outlets (report). Chery plans eight brands in Australia by 2028, and executives said overlap between them is limited (report). XPeng aims to finish 2026 with 66 retail locations and will add the L03 from A$41,900 before on-road costs (report). Denza is adding 17 regional service points at BYD dealerships (report).

Timetables slipping or still open

Denza pushed the Z9 GT to the first half of 2027 from a third-quarter 2026 target (report). Chery has not decided whether the Tiggo X7 comes to Australia, though right-hand-drive production is confirmed (report). iCaur's V25 is due in early 2027, and Chery is working to raise towing figures for the V27 and the Stockman ute (report). Leapmotor is still discussing the B05 Ultra (report).

Policy

Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia has no current plan to bar Chinese vehicles from military sites (report).

What it means

  • Three of the week's price stories are discounts or promotions, while Zeekr held its prices and added power; competition is showing up in specification and incentives more than in list-price cuts.
  • Network build-out (Lepas, XPeng, Denza) is running alongside a stretch of delayed or undecided launches.