Another Chinese brand is coming for Australia's new-car kings: Auto giant Geely targets top 10 with Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7-fighting EX5 SUV

Chinese auto giant Geely might only be about to launch its first model here, but the brand has some mighty big aspirations, targeting a spot in Australia's top 10 automotive brands.

Geely is the parent company of Volvo, Polestar, Zeekr and Lotus, but said it won't be combining the figures from all five brands to hit its lofty target. Instead, it said it will get there all by itself.

Based on last year's results, that would mean Geely would need to sell in excess of 40,000 vehicles, with GWM (42,782), Nissan (45,284) and Isuzu (48,172) finishing tenth, ninth and eighth respectively.

That's the word from local Geely CEO Li Lei, who – at the launch of the EX5 electric SUV – told CarsGuide that a top 10 finish was " very normal" for Geely.

"As a Chinese brand, there are always ambitious targets. We are moving very fast, and of course I have my KPIs. But the most important thing for me is to take care of our customers and partners," Mr Lei said.

2025 Geely EX5

"Geely is one of the leading OEM in the world, so to become the top 10 is something very normal to us. We are focusing on the customers, and that will bring a good result.

"Geely is a massive and mainstream brand. It's a volume brand."

First to arrive will be the EX5, with preview drives now complete. The electric mid-size electric SUV will arrive in two trim levels, the Complete and the Inspire, and while pricing specifics are yet to be confirmed, the brand has said the range will span $49k to $55k.

2025 Geely EX5

Both are a single motor, front-wheel drive setup, good for 160kW and 320Nm. They both also share Geely’s “Short Blade Battery” – a 60.22kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate unit, which is enough to deliver between 410kms and 430kms of range.

The brand has yet to detail what models might follow the EX5, but has access to a range of EVs and plug-in hybrids globally.