Aug 4, 2026 – 4.00pmThe manufacturer behind limousines used by China’s authoritarian leaders from chairman Mao Zedong to President Xi Jinping plans to launch in Australia next year, joining a flood of Chinese car makers entering the local market.Hongqi, which is China’s oldest car maker and translates to “red flag” in English, will offer the E-HS9, a seven-seat electric SUV designed in the style of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, in January, according to Jim Wu, the company’s Australian distributor.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles