Chinese luxury brand to decide on ute for Australia within six months

HQ or Hongqi Australia has confirmed three electric vehicles (EVs) for its local lineup, but it hopes to grow that to five models in the not-too-distant future, and one of those could be a ute.

The Chinese luxury brand's initial range will consist of the 5.2m-long E-HS9 large SUV with a starting price (excluding on-road costs) under $150,000, as well as the 4.5m-long EHS4 small SUV that's based on the Leapmotor B10, and which will be launched Down Under early in December.

They will be joined some time next year by another SUV, the mid-size EHS5.

At this week's official launch of the Hongqi E-HS9, Jim (Baojun) Wu, head of the local distributor, told Australian media: "With these three cars, I hope we can reach 1000 [cars] per month".

Looking slightly deeper into his crystal ball, Mr Wu said he hopes to grow the local HQ or Hongqi range to five cars to include a sedan and a ute. This will enable the brand to "challenge [for] 2500 or 3000 [sales] per month".

For reference, 3000 sales per month is 36,000 cars in a year. Last year, the manufacturers closest to that number were BMW (26,842), Mercedes-Benz (27,581), Tesla (28,856), Volkswagen (28,970), Chery (34,889) and Nissan (35,511).

In China, Hongqi has three rakishly styled small- and mid-size electric sedans on sale, with Mr Wu expressing a preference for one of the mid-size models.

Neither Hongqi nor any of FAW's other brands have a consumer ute in their current lineup, meaning the company will have to develop one itself or work with a partner.

According to Mr Wu, the Australian distributor has put in a request to FAW, Hongqi's parent company, for a ute. While FAW has yet to begin work on a pickup truck, Mr Wu believes the company will make a decision on the matter within "three months or six months".

Mr Wu did sound a note of caution, however, noting that Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux-style utes are not popular in China, partially because they are subject to higher taxes and until recently were prohibited from entering most city centres.

It should also be noted that the Shark 6 has yet to be added to BYD's sprawling domestic range, which encompasses small hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs. It's set for launch there later this year, where it'll be sold as a Fangchengbao.

If FAW does decide to enter the ute scene, the model will likely be developed with two markets in mind, Thailand and Australia, both of which are right-hand drive.

MORE: Explore the HQ (Hongqi) showroom