China’s Best-Selling Car Confirmed for Australia: Geely EX2 Set to Target Sub-$35K EV Market

Geely Auto Australia has confirmed it will launch the EX2 electric hatchback locally in the second half of 2026, marking the brand's first entry into the compact city car segment.

According to a Geely Auto Australia spokesperson, the local launch was driven entirely by demand rather than initial strategy.

"I must say, genuinely, it was not part of our plan to bring this car into market," the spokesperson told media.

"But the reaction that we got was just overwhelming from all of you [media], from our dealers as well."

The announcement brings one of the world's most popular electric vehicles to Australian shores, with the model — known domestically as the Xingyuan — currently holding the title of China's overall best-selling vehicle in 2025.

"We can't say no to the best selling car in China," the spokesperson said.

Having shifted over 400,000 units in its home market in just 12 months — outselling established giants like the Tesla Model Y and BYD Seagull (locally named the ATTO 1) — the EX2 arrives with significant momentum.

Its recent debut in Thailand, a key right-hand-drive market, has further fueled anticipation, where aggressive pricing equivalent to $19,000 AUD has set the stage for a potential shake-up of the entry-level EV sector in Australia.

While Geely has not yet released local pricing, the EX2’s positioning suggests it could become one of the most affordable electric vehicles in Australia.

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While local Australian Design Rules (ADR) compliance, shipping, and taxes will inevitably lift the price above the Thai figure, Geely Australia’s recent pricing strategies provide a strong hint at where the EX2 will land.

With the Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV starting at $37,490 and the EX5 electric mid-sized SUV at $40,990, there is a logical opening for the EX2 to arrive in the low-$30,000 bracket.

A starting price in the vicinity of $32,000 would place the EX2 in direct competition with established electric rivals like the BYD Dolphin and MG4, while simultaneously reaching price parity with traditional petrol hybrids like the Toyota Yaris, Corolla and Mazda2.

This could effectively eliminate the "green premium" that has long prevented budget-conscious buyers from switching to electric power.

Geely views this lack of affordable options as a key gap in the current landscape.

"There's plenty of opportunity there for people that are interested in buying the first car, but also people that just want to downsize," the spokesperson noted, adding that currently "there aren't too many offerings out there on the market."

Despite its entry-level positioning, the EX2 is underpinned by Geely’s Global Intelligent Electric Architecture (GEA), the same platform found in the larger EX5 and Starray models.

Measuring 4,135mm long with a 2,650mm wheelbase, the EX2 sits in size between micro-EVs and traditional small hatchbacks.

The layout features Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) — a configuration distinct from the Front-Wheel Drive setups common in this segment, and one that generally allows for a tighter turning circle and improved driving dynamics, as seen in the MG4.

Technical specifications from global markets indicate the vehicle will be powered by an 85kW motor capable of a 0-50km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds, with energy supplied by a 40.16kWh Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP) battery from CATL.

While official local range figures are pending, NEDC range is a claimed 395km, and the battery size suggests a real-world WLTP driving range of approximately 320km.

The platform supports DC fast charging at speeds of up to 70kW, with the manufacturer claiming a 30 to 80 per cent charge time of approximately 21 minutes.

Inside, the cabin prioritises technology and practicality. The interior is dominated by a floating 14.6-inch infotainment screen running the Flyme operating system, a setup borrowed from Geely's more premium offerings.

The company highlights the vehicle's space efficiency, noting over 30 storage compartments and a front trunk (frunk) — a feature not always present in the subcompact class.

The exterior design includes a "smile face" front end and a palette of pastel colours including Pink, Blue, Beige, and Silver, matched with Skyline White or Horizon Grey interior themes.

Geely Auto Australia says more information regarding local specification, range walk-up, and pricing will be announced in due course.

However, if the brand can replicate the value equation that drove the EX2 to the top of the sales charts in China, Australian buyers may have a new mainstream electric option when it arrives in late 2026.