Hongqi, China’s oldest luxury car brand, will launch in Australia this week under the shortened HQ name, introducing its E-HS9 battery-electric SUV. The state-owned marque will stage its Australian launch in Sydney on November 11, with the first E-HS9 deliveries scheduled for January 18, 2027.
The E-HS9 is intended to make an immediate statement, measuring 5209mm long, 2010mm wide, and riding on a 3110mm wheelbase. The three-row SUV is larger than a Volvo EX90 and will compete with models such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and Cadillac Vistiq.
Specifications and Features
Australian regulatory filings reveal the vehicle will seat six passengers, feature 21-inch alloy wheels, and be powered by dual electric motors—202kW at the front and 165kW at the rear. While the combined output reaches 367kW, the official system rating has yet to be verified.
The documents also list a 2636kg tare mass and no rated towing capacity, although Australian equipment levels, charging specifications, and final pricing remain outstanding. Overseas E-HS9 models offer 84kWh, 99kWh, and 120kWh battery options, with claimed WLTP driving ranges extending from 380km to 515km.
Market Ambitions
HQ has confirmed that the smaller EHS4 and EHS5 electric SUVs will follow the flagship within six months, with the mid-sized EHS5 currently expected around April 2027. A premium electric sedan is also being considered for the Australian range.
The distributor has indicated an ambitious target of approximately 1000 sales a month once the initial three SUVs are on sale, with a longer-term aspiration of 30,000 vehicles annually. Those targets are significant, as Lexus sold 14,561 vehicles in Australia last year, Audi delivered 16,014, and BMW recorded 26,842.
Hongqi’s Australian entry joins a growing list of Chinese premium brands, including Denza, Zeekr, IM Motors, and XPeng. For HQ, success won’t just depend on the E-HS9’s features but on building dealership networks, service infrastructure, and brand awareness to attract luxury buyers unfamiliar with the marque.
As the brand seeks to establish a foothold in the Australian market, it will be necessary for HQ to balance its ambition to challenge established prestige brands with the need to build a strong retail and service network. With its initial local product line-up exclusively electric, HQ is positioning itself as a high-technology alternative to established Western luxury brands.
While official pricing hasn’t been set, Greentech Smart EV CEO Jim Wu has suggested the E-HS9 could start near $160,000, a potential undercutting of several established European electric SUVs.
