Chinese EV brand Skyworth’s Aussie launch postponed

The local introduction of the Chinese brand Skyworth and its BE11 medium electric SUV have been delayed until the first half of 2026.

Originally expected on-sale here as far back as late 2024 and more recently mid-2025, the  brand’s Australian importer EV Automotive has elected to hit pause and wait until a facelift and technical upgrade of the BE11 is available from the factory in China.

The update will include an 800V electric architecture and improved DC charging capabilities, plus the expectation of a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

For reference, the current BE11 tops out with an 84kW DC fast charging rate and scored one star in C-NCAP testing in 2023.

The ambition is to launch the aspiring Tesla Model Y rival in two equipment grades with pricing starting below $50,000, making it one of the cheapest vehicles in its segment.

“We’re pausing the launch of the BE11 due to a facelift and technology update,” confirmed EV Automotive CEO Jack Puzin.

“We are ensuring that the vehicle we bring to market is competitive and adheres to the principles we set out when we first announced the BE11 was coming to Australia.”

Just in case you’re wondering, Skyworth is a Chinese multi-national best-known for audio-visual and electronics design and manufacturing.

It has a commercial van division called Skywell, with EV Automotive having been selling its EC11 van and bus here for about five years.

The newer passenger car division has adopted the Skyworth name, hence it’s the badge the BE11 picks up.

Skywell is one of a number of new Chinese brands headed to Australia soon, including Denza, GAC and iCaur.

Confusingly, EV Automotive had originally intended to launch the BE11 in Australia under the local EVA 5 badge. Around the globe it is also known as the EV6, Elaris Beo, Imperium SRV, Fregata Ariel 8 and both Skyworth and Nebka ET5.

The upgrade will also be known as BE12 in some markets, but Australia is sticking with BE11.

The two BE11 variants sold in Australia – badged Comfort and Luxury – will be identical mechanically, featuring a 150kW e-motor on the front axle and an 86kWh lithium nickel manganese cobalt battery pack with a 489km range against WLTP protocols.

They both measure 4698mm long, 1908mm wide, 1696mm tall and has a 2800mm wheelbase, and have been subject to local ADAS testing to ensure driver assist systems are not overly intrusive – a common criticism of Chinese vehicles.

After initially planning an agency sales model and servicing via the Mycar chain, EV Automotive has swapped to a traditional dealer sales and service model and expects to launch with a 12-dealer network.

EV Automotive is also about to launch the (unrelated to Skyworth) Victory small van and light truck range in Australia.

The next-generation Skywell S233 large commercial van is also on the agenda.

On the Skyworth side, it wants to follow up the BE11 with a small electric hatchback simply dubbed Q.

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