Avatr is the latest Chinese brand to be confirmed for Australia
Changan luxury brand could be here as soon as late 2025 as BYD Denza rivalThe News
The Chinese brand Avatr – pronounced Avatar – is bringing its premium electric and range extender SUVs and sedans to Australia. Timing is yet to be confirmed, but it could be here as soon as late 2025.
The Key Details
- Avatr is a joint-venture between Changan and battery maker CATL, with tech company Huawei also involved
- Changan also owns Deepal, which is already on sale in Australia
- Avatr currently sells four models but has plans to add another 17 by 2030
- Will launch in the UK by late 2025 with the 11 SUV, which is being built in a new factory in Thailand
- Avatr is the third Chinese premium brand confirmed for Australia, following MG’s IM spin-off (now on sale) and BYD’s Denza, which launches in November
The Finer Details
The confirmation of Avatr’s plans for Australia was delivered to a small group of Australian motoring journalists at the recent Munich motor show by China Changan Automobile Group general manager Zhao Fei.
"We plan to bring Avatr to the Australian market," he confirmed shortly after presenting during Changan’s Munich motor show press preview.
"Last week I went to the Chengdu consulate of Australia and I talked to the consul general and we are talking about how we are going to bring Avatr to the Australian market. Please stay tuned, thank you," he added, before moving away.
If you don’t know about Avatr that’s understandable. It first went on sale in China in 2022 and has launched four models since then; the medium-sized 11 fastback SUV, the large-sized 12 sedan, the medium-sized 07 SUV and 06 sedan.
All four offer both battery electric and range extender petrol-electric powertrains, all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive.
Pricing in China starts at the equivalent of $44,000 for the cheapest 06 and climbs as high as $90,000 for the most expensive 11 and 12.
The arrival of Avatr in Australia is to be expected as Changan has been steadily adding export markets since 2024.
As part of a wider entry into Europe, Avatr intends to launch in the UK by the end of 2025 with the BMW X5-sized 11 SUV, which will be built in a new factory in Thailand.
The 12 sedan and 07 SUV will also be assembled in Thailand from knockdown kits.
This surely makes all these cars logical candidates for Australian sale.
In Munich, Avatr showed off the extravagant 5.8m long Vision Xpectra concept car, complete with large glass cabin and rear-hinged doors.
The Xpectra is a guide to the future design language of Avatr as it plans to launch 17 new models by 2030.
The Road Ahead
Zhao Fei understandably shied away from providing details about Avatr’s Aussie plans, and its most logical local partner in the project, Inchcape, was even more reluctant to flesh things out.
"I can confirm Inchcape has no announcements to make at this time regarding the distribution of Avatr in Australia," a spokesperson told carsales by email.
"We will continue to explore product opportunities that deliver value for Australian consumers.
"Changan’s innovation and global growth is inspiring, and we’re proud to be part of that journey."
Related: New Chinese auto brands coming to Australia soon
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