Another Chinese automaker drops an Australian distributor

Chinese car brand GAC has cancelled a deal to distribute its cars in Australia through local company AGA Auto, stepping in to establish its own operations instead.

It’s the second Chinese manufacturer to take over Australian distribution this year following BYD’s July 1 takeover from local company EVDirect. 

Guangzhou-based GAC sells petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) in China, the Middle East, South America and Europe. 

As well as GAC-badged cars, it also sells cars under the Aion brand, GAC Trumpchi (only sold in China) and has a premium brand called Hyptec which it used to launch its stunning SSR electric supercar. 

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A deal with Sydney-based AGA Auto to distribute cars in Australia was signed in 2022, but that has now been cancelled, with GAC set to enter Australia as a factory-backed operation after delays given the restructuring. 

“We have moved from a distributor-based model to an OEM direct-to-market approach, given hyper-competitiveness of the market,” Jason Pecotic, GAC Australia chief operating officer (COO), told CarExpert. 

“The distributor is still part of the GAC fold, and we’ll continue to work together with them running a number of dealers within our Australian network.”

Mr Pecotic became COO of GAC’s local operation in April 2025 as the automaker geared up for an Australian launch, with AGA Auto CEO Charles Lau confirming the separation.

“GAC and AGA have been undergoing background negotiation and handovers… and [AGA is] no longer the distributor for GAC Australia as GAC is looking to enter on an OEM operation,” said Mr Lau.

“We have other brands soon to be announced in due course and will keep you posted.”

Chinese automakers have taken over from local distributors in the past, and often gone on to enjoy greater success.

Before GWM distributed its own vehicles here, for example, they were sold by Ateco which also briefly handled the Chery brand.

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