China’s Great Wall Motor builds a car empire as Australian sales surge

China’s automotive industry is expanding its footprint in Australia, with Great Wall Motor (GWM) emerging as a major player as traditional manufacturers face changing market conditions.

The second episode of The Big Picture takes viewers to Baoding in Hebei Province, home to GWM, the first Chinese carmaker to launch in Australia.

The city has become a hub for the company, with its headquarters, a car-themed hotel and a shopping mall featuring 17 automotive showrooms alongside everyday retail outlets.

GWM’s growing presence in Australia reflects a broader shift in the country’s automotive market.

The company sold 52,000 vehicles in Australia last year, according to the program, while Toyota, Ford and Nissan experienced declining sales.

The appeal of Chinese-made vehicles increasingly centres on the combination of competitive pricing and technology, attracting buyers looking for more features at accessible price points.

The contrast highlights a significant change in the global automotive landscape.

Australia no longer manufactures passenger cars domestically, while China has continued to expand its vehicle production capabilities and develop brands for international markets.

For Australian consumers, the growing availability of Chinese vehicles is changing the range of options in showrooms and challenging established manufacturers to compete in an evolving market.

The question is no longer simply whether Chinese carmakers will gain a foothold in Australia, but how quickly they will reshape consumer expectations and competition across the industry.

The Big Picture explores that shift in its latest episode, travelling to Baoding to examine the scale of GWM’s operations and the forces driving China’s automotive expansion.

Don’t Break the China!