Sino Partners advises Chinese vehicle, commercial vehicle and component manufacturers entering Australia and New Zealand, and supports fleets, importers and dealers sourcing vehicles and parts from China with full import and compliance support.
Vehicles manufactured in China accounted for about 18 per cent of new vehicle sales in Australia in 2025, up from about 14 per cent in 2024, according to Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data. The shift is led by electric and plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles, and it is extending into light commercial vehicles, buses, trucks and charging infrastructure.
Success in Oceania depends on more than product. Importers and OEMs must secure import approval, meet Australian Design Rules, satisfy emissions standards, build a dealer and service footprint and honour consumer law obligations. Sino Partners guides both Chinese manufacturers and Oceania buyers through that full path.
Market entry, compliance and sourcing advisory across passenger, commercial and specialist vehicles and their supply chains.
Market sizing, segment and price positioning, importer or distributor selection and launch planning for passenger, light commercial and specialist vehicle brands entering Australia and New Zealand.
Identification and vetting of importers, dealer groups and service partners, with agreement structuring, territory design and brand standards for sales and after-sales.
Planning for road vehicle import approval, Australian Design Rule compliance, type approval pathways and the Register of Approved Vehicles before volume commitments are made.
Assessment of product mix against the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, including pricing and allocation implications.
Specification, operator trials, fleet suitability and service coverage planning for electric and conventional trucks, buses, vans and trailers.
Charger and energy storage supplier selection, site and grid considerations and commercial models for fleet depots and public charging networks.
Supplier identification, factory audits and inspection for parts, tyres, batteries, accessories and aftermarket products supplied to Oceania importers and workshops.
A concise view of what our team delivers for Chinese manufacturers and Oceania buyers in the automotive sector.
Entering or expanding in Australia and New Zealand
Fleets, importers, dealers and workshops sourcing from China
Under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, a road vehicle cannot be imported into Australia without an import approval, and applications are managed through the ROVER system. Vehicles must be entered on the Register of Approved Vehicles before they are supplied to the market.
The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard came into effect on 1 January 2025 under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Act 2024. It sets average carbon dioxide emissions targets for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, and manufacturers that exceed their target face financial penalties.
Sources: Department of Infrastructure: importing a road vehicle into Australia; New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Regulator; China Daily, citing FCAI data on 2025 sales.
No supplier commissions and no kickbacks. Our advice on vehicles and components is aligned to your commercial outcome, and our fees are disclosed up front.
Import approval, design rule and emissions standard requirements mapped early so product decisions are made with the rules in view.
Established connections across vehicle, commercial vehicle, battery, charging and component manufacturers.
Mandarin and English capability for negotiations, technical documentation, contracts and factory visits.
Australia-based account management with on-the-ground execution in China, covering Australia, New Zealand and the wider Oceania region.
From strategy and supplier selection to compliance, import coordination and after-sales planning.
Contact our automotive and transport advisory team to discuss your market entry plan, fleet sourcing requirement or compliance pathway.
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