Drive.com: Hongqi luxury cars from China coming to Australia in 2027 to rival Zeekr, Denza

The manufacturer of the limousines used to transport China's top politicians and VIPs is due to deliver its electric cars to Australians from the start of next year.

Hongqi is the oldest car brand in China – its name translating to "red flag" – established in the 1950s as a maker of luxury limousines for dignitaries and officials, including past and present leaders of China.

It has now turned its sights to right-hand-drive export markets, and plans to launch in Australia from January 2027 with three electric or hybrid SUVs, including rivals to the Zeekr 7X and 9X.

"We hope we can be more luxurious, more premium than Audi. We will be about similar [to] BMW and Mercedes-Benz," Jim Wu, CEO of Hongqi's Australian importer Greentech – and a co-founder of Chinese EV brand Leapmotor – told Drive.

By the end of the decade, Hongqi hopes to sell more cars than BMW or Mercedes-Benz – and double Audi – according to targets shared by Wu.

Hongqi will hope to replicate the early success of the last two key Chinese 'premium' brands to enter Australia: Zeekr, owned by auto giant Geely, and Denza, the prestige offshoot of BYD.

It will be marketed under a mix of Hongqi and simplified HQ badges in Australia, and will open a mix of factory-owned showrooms staffed by expert technicians, and traditional franchise showrooms.

The Hongqi range in China is crowned by the twin-turbo V8 Guoli – or "national gift" – priced at the equivalent of AUD$1.5 million, but more affordable – and higher-volume – vehicles will lead the Australian rollout.

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