China's GAC confirms Australian launch and top 10 goal, plans BYD Shark rival

Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) will launch three new cars including Aion EVs (electric vehicles) in Australia this October under a factory-led program – and there’s a BYD Shark-rivalling dual-cab electrified ute in the pipeline, too. 

Jason Pecotic has been appointed chief operating officer of GAC Australia. He posted online a callout looking for local dealers for the new venture and has confirmed the news to CarExpert.

The company is looking to introduce three models across 30 dealers from its planned October 2025 launch, with an eight-model range by 2029.

It’s gunning for a top ten spot on the Australian sales chart by then, which would mean – based on 2024’s new-car market – around 43,000 annual sales, a figure which saw Chinese brand GWM sit in 10th position last year.

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Above: Aion V

Mr Pecotic has confirmed the petrol-powered GAC Trumpchi GS3 Enzoom – a Nissan Qashqai-sized five-seat SUV – the GAC Trumpchi E9 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) people mover, and the Toyota RAV4-sized battery-electric Aion V SUV.

While GAC offers three separate brands in China – Aion, China-only brand GAC Trumpchi, and Hyptec which it launched its ‘SSR’ supercar under – all its vehicles will be sold under the GAC brand in Australia.

While specifics of the second wave of models after this October’s planned launch are yet to be confirmed, GAC has said they will include a hybrid SUV and electric hatch – potentially the Aion UT – in 2026. 

This will be followed by yet another hybrid SUV and a dual-cab ute in 2027, with GAC having shown off the Pickup 01, with styling seemingly inspired by the Tesla Cybertruck, earlier this year.

Above: GAC Trumpchi E9

The factory-driven launch comes after GAC dropped plans to supply vehicles to our market through a third-party distributor, which had also announced plans for the brand to be a top 10 player here by 2030.

AGA Auto was appointed GAC’s Australian distributor in 2022, and told CarExpert in May 2024 it planned to bring vehicles here during the second half of 2025.

The announcement follows that of fellow Chinese brand BYD, which took over local operations from distributor EVDirect in July 2025 as it reshuffled its leadership, including naming former Honda Australia director, Stephen Collins, as its chief operating officer. 

It also announced BYD’s premium Denza brand – scheduled to be launched in Australia around October 2025 – will be managed by former Holden marketing chief, Mark Harland. 

MORE: Another Chinese automaker drops an Australian distributor