In Australia, all 7 electric vehicle (EV) models whose sales in June exceeded 1,000 units were made in China. Chinese media Kuaikeji reported on the 12th, citing electrek.

According to the article, until now, EVs with stable monthly sales exceeding 1,000 units in Australia were limited to the Tesla Model Y, Model 3, and BYD SEALION 7.

However, in June, the number of models whose sales exceeded 1,000 units jumped to 7, with 5 new Chinese-made models joining the list. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model 3 dropped to 12th place.

The top seller was the Tesla Model Y with 8,072 units, followed by the BYD SEALION 7 in second place with 4,730 units, and then BYD ATTO 2 (2,482 units), Geely EX5 (2,303 units), Omoda Jaecoo J5 (2,096 units), Zeekr 7X (1,868 units), and MG4 Urban (1,015 units).

BYD, Geely, Omoda Jaecoo, Zeekr, and MG are all Chinese brands. Although Tesla is not a Chinese brand, the Model Y and Model 3 that Tesla sells in Australia are supplied not from the US but from its Gigafactory in Shanghai, China.

The advantage of Chinese-brand EVs lies in their pricing. Among the top 7 best-selling models, the BYD ATTO 2, Omoda Jaecoo J5, and MG4 Urban – three models – can be purchased for less than 40,000 Australian dollars (approximately 4.52 million yen). The Geely EX5 is also within 50,000 Australian dollars (approximately 5.65 million yen). None of these models were present in the Australian market a year ago.

In June sales, if BYD's plug-in hybrid models are also included, it came close to overtaking top-ranked Toyota.

EVs accounted for a 23.5% share of Australia's automotive market in June. In the Australian Capital Territory in particular, an astonishing 43.5% was recorded. The automotive industry body FCAI also reportedly acknowledges that a 'structural change' is now underway. (Translation/Editing: Yanagawa)