Wuling Eksion EV approved for Australia

Chinese brand Wuling has secured Australian approval for its Eksion electric SUV, paving the way for a potential launch outside General Motors’ local distribution network.

Another Chinese car brand could be heading for Australian showrooms, with Wuling securing local approval for its Eksion electric mid-size family SUV.

Australian pricing and launch timing have yet to be announced, while the identity of a local importer or distributor remains unknown.

However, federal certification documents identify a five-seat, front-wheel drive Eksion EV powered by a single 150kW electric motor, providing a concrete indication of the brand’s Australian ambitions.

Wuling forms part of SAIC-GM-Wuling, the Chinese joint venture involving General Motors, MG parent SAIC Motor and Wuling.

Despite that connection, General Motors Australia and New Zealand has confirmed it will not import or distribute Wuling vehicles, leaving any Australian introduction to a separate operation.

New Zealand publication EVs and Beyond reported on September 28 that Wuling had selected a distributor for that market, citing an unnamed source. The company involved was not identified, and the report does not establish who would represent Wuling in Australia.

The Australian filing of the Wuling Eksion lists an overall length of 4745mm and a 2810mm wheelbase, placing the Eksion in the electric medium-SUV segment occupied by the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, Geely EX5, Leapmotor C10 and XPeng G6.

It also records an 1825kg tare mass, 175mm ground clearance and zero towing capacity. Width is 1850mm and height is 1755mm.

Battery capacity, torque and driving range are not nominated in the Australian filing.

However, the Eksion EV built and sold in Indonesia in right-hand drive combines its 150kW front motor with 310Nm of torque and a 69.2kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.

Wuling claims up to 530km of range under the generous Chinese CLTC test cycle. The Indonesian EV also supports CCS2 DC fast charging.

Overseas equipment provides an indication of what Wuling could offer local buyers.

Depending on grade, the Indonesian Eksion includes a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, 8.8-inch digital instrument display, ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate and 360-degree camera.

Higher-spec versions also offer six airbags, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring.

Wuling’s Indonesian operation has previously explored Australian exports, although the source of any locally delivered vehicles remains unconfirmed.

Indonesia also offers a seven-seat configuration and a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The latter pairs a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 145kW electric motor and 20.5kWh LFP battery, delivering a claimed electric range of up to 125km under CLTC testing.

Neither the seven-seat layout nor the plug-in hybrid is covered by the Australian approval detailed here.

Australian certification brings the Eksion closer to a potential local launch but does not guarantee it will reach showrooms. Given how saturated the Aussie new car market is right now, with more brands coming in 2027, another unknown brand will face challenges carving itself a slice of the pie.

Confirmation of a distributor, dealer and servicing arrangements, pricing and final specifications would establish how Wuling intends to compete in Australia’s increasingly crowded electric SUV market.

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