China's oldest and most ceremonial car brand is about to touch down in Australia. Hongqi — the FAW Group marque that has built state limousines since 1958 — will launch locally under the abbreviated name HQ, and Australian homologation documents have just revealed the first model: the E-HS9, a 5.2-metre luxury electric SUV that will take on the Volvo EX90, Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Cadillac Vistiq.
The brand's launch event is scheduled for next week in Sydney, with first customer deliveries planned for January 2027. For Western observers, it's another clear signal of where Chinese manufacturers are heading: not just value segments, but the top of the market.
What the Homologation Filing Reveals
The local specification comes via the federal government's ROVER road vehicle descriptor, and it's unusually complete for a car that hasn't been launched yet:
- Dual-motor AWD: 202 kW front motor, 165 kW rear (a combined system output isn't specified)
- Six-seat layout, joining a small club of large electric family SUVs
- Dimensions: 5209 mm long, 2010 mm wide, 1713 mm high, 3110 mm wheelbase
- 2636 kg tare mass, 21-inch wheels with 265/45 R21 tyres
- Ventilated discs: 368 mm front, 374 mm rear
- Towing capacity: zero, both braked and unbraked — a telling omission for the market segment
That last line is worth pausing on. A 2.6-tonne luxury SUV rated to tow nothing will raise eyebrows among Australian family buyers, for whom towing is a real use case. Whether that's a homologation placeholder or a genuine limitation remains to be confirmed at launch.
The Badge Carries More History Than You'd Expect
Hongqi ("Red Flag") is part of FAW Group, one of China's largest manufacturers, and has been building cars since 1958 — including the limousines used for official state occasions, as the brand's own site documents. The brand's design credentials now include Giles Taylor, formerly design director at Rolls-Royce, whose work there included the Cullinan and the latest Phantom.
Overseas, the E-HS9 has already earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating and has been on sale in Norway since 2021 — so Australia is not the brand's first Western market, but it is the first where Hongqi will sell under the HQ name. CarExpert's launch report details the European market specifications in full.
Battery and Range: Three Options Overseas
Australian battery capacity, range and charging specifications haven't been announced yet. Overseas, the E-HS9 is offered with:
|
Battery |
Claimed WLTP range |
|
84 kWh |
at least 380 km |
|
99 kWh |
441 km |
|
120 kWh |
515 km |
European-market versions use a 400-volt electrical system — worth noting because it shapes real-world DC charging speed. A 120 kWh pack on a 400V architecture will accept strong peak rates but generally won't match the charging curves of newer 800V competitors, and the difference shows up most on long trips. If you want the background on how architecture and power levels translate into charging behaviour, our explainer on Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast charging covers the mechanics.
The home-charging side matters too. A 120 kWh battery is one of the largest in any passenger SUV, and replenishing it overnight on a single-phase supply takes longer than most owners expect — single-phase vs three-phase charging explains why the difference can double your effective charging speed where three-phase power is available.
The Rollout Plan Is Surprisingly Conventional
HQ isn't testing the waters with a soft launch. As EV Central reports, the brand is distributed by Greentech, an independent Australian company, and plans:
- A national network of 15 dealerships, including five company-owned outlets in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth
- First customer deliveries from January 2027
- A battery-electric-only line-up in Australia, with the E-HS9 leading a broader rollout
- A stated ambition to challenge established luxury manufacturers — Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz and BMW by name
HQ's Australian website is already taking expressions of interest with a minimum $2000 deposit — though its terms note that a refund can only be requested six months after the deposit date, a clause prospective buyers should read carefully.
What It Signals for Western Markets
Two things, and they compound:
Chinese premium brands are no longer entering through the value door. Hongqi is positioning directly against established luxury marques, with a design pedigree to support the claim and a state-owned parent with the balance sheet to sustain the attempt.
Every new entrant raises the stakes on charging experience. Large batteries, premium positioning and long-distance touring expectations put charging performance — at home and on the road — at the centre of the ownership experience. Buyers comparing a 120 kWh luxury SUV will judge it as much by how conveniently it charges as by how it drives.
For US readers, the E-HS9 isn't coming to America, so treat this as a leading indicator rather than a shopping option: the segmentation of Chinese manufacturers into value, mainstream and luxury tiers is now complete, and each tier is expanding into Western markets on its own timeline.
The Bottom Line
The E-HS9 is a significant machine — a genuine three-row luxury EV with real pedigree, a five-star safety rating and European market experience — arriving with conventional dealer backing and unconventional ownership history. Whether Australian buyers accept a $2,000 deposit six months before pricing is announced will tell us a lot about how much goodwill the "Chinese luxury" proposition has earned.
FAQ
When does the HQ E-HS9 launch in Australia?
The brand launch event is scheduled for November 2026 in Sydney, with first customer deliveries planned for January 2027 through a national network of 15 dealerships.
What are the E-HS9's specifications?
The Australian ROVER filing lists a dual-motor AWD drivetrain (202 kW front, 165 kW rear), a 5209 mm-long six-seat body, 2636 kg tare mass and 21-inch wheels. Battery, range and charging specs are yet to be announced; overseas versions offer 84 kWh, 99 kWh and 120 kWh batteries with up to 515 km WLTP range.
Who makes Hongqi cars?
Hongqi is the luxury brand of FAW Group, one of China's largest automakers, building cars since 1958 including official state limousines. Its design chief is Giles Taylor, formerly of Rolls-Royce.
Will the HQ E-HS9 be sold in the US?
No US sales have been announced. The brand's Western expansion currently covers Europe and Australia, with the E-HS9 on sale in Norway since 2021.