2026 BYD Sealion 7, Chery Tiggo 4 and GWM Haval Jolion SUVs shifting more units than Nissan, Subaru and more in Australia

This CarsGuide article examines the rapidly changing Australian new-car market in 2026, where several Chinese brands and models are achieving sales volumes that would have been difficult to imagine only a few years ago. It is an editorial market report rather than a listing for a specific vehicle.

The BYD Sealion 7 is the standout example. The electric mid-size SUV recorded 2687 Australian sales in September 2026, making it one of the country's strongest-selling vehicles for the month. Its result placed it close to the total monthly volume of the Mitsubishi brand and represented a substantial improvement over the same month in 2025. The Sealion 7's position also underlines the increasing competition for established electric SUVs, particularly the Tesla Model Y.

BYD's broader performance has been equally significant. The brand more than doubled its Australian market share compared with 2025 and moved into second place in the overall brand sales race at the time of publication. Its progress reflects the growing influence of electric vehicles in mainstream purchasing decisions, as well as the speed with which Chinese manufacturers are expanding their local model ranges.

The Chery Tiggo 4 delivered another notable result, recording 2059 sales in September. That single model exceeded the combined monthly sales of Nissan and Subaru across their respective ranges. The Tiggo 4 is available with petrol and hybrid powertrains, giving buyers a choice between conventional mechanical simplicity and electrified efficiency within the same small-SUV format.

The GWM Haval Jolion also exceeded Subaru's monthly total, with 2018 sales. Like the Tiggo 4, the Jolion provides a compact SUV alternative with petrol and hybrid options. Its performance demonstrates how value-focused Chinese SUVs are gaining visibility in a segment traditionally dominated by Japanese, Korean and European manufacturers.

Geely's EX5 electric mid-size SUV contributed to the same shift, recording 2008 sales during the month. Although that result fell just short of Subaru's total, it was ahead of Suzuki and Volkswagen's individual monthly figures. Together, these results show that sales momentum is no longer concentrated solely among established brands.

The article also places the figures in the context of product changes among legacy manufacturers. Mitsubishi's Australian range has been affected by Australian Design Rule changes, which contributed to the discontinuation of models including the ASX, Eclipse Cross and Pajero Sport. The brand is preparing additional products, including a new Pajero 4WD and an electric version of the ASX, but the changing competitive landscape means new arrivals will face increasingly capable and numerous rivals.

• BYD Sealion 7: electric mid-size SUV and one of September's strongest-selling vehicles.
• Chery Tiggo 4: small SUV offered with petrol and hybrid powertrains.
• GWM Haval Jolion: compact SUV available with conventional and hybrid configurations.
• Geely EX5: electric mid-size SUV supporting Geely's rapid Australian growth.