China became Australia’s largest source of passenger car imports in April, overtaking Japan.

The shift was driven by rising demand for electric vehicles from Chinese brands including BYD.

Australia imported nearly 36,000 passenger cars from China in April, compared with about 29,000 from Japan.

Arrivals from China in the first four months of 2026 rose to more than 100,000, up 51% from a year earlier.

More than 40,000 imported passenger vehicles were EVs.

EVs and hybrids made up 46% of Australia’s new-vehicle sales in May, and BYD was the second-largest-selling brand behind Toyota.

Industry body the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries said battery EVs alone accounted for a record 20% of May new-vehicle sales.

It also said the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard was encouraging carmakers to bring more low-emission vehicles to Australia.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg