Cars

Riding the Wave: Australia’s Potential for People Movers in 2026 According to China

Published

2 months ago

December 20, 2025

Will 2026 be the year of the people mover in Australia? China seems to think so

In Australia, if we may generalise for a moment, it seems like people movers (aka MPVs or minivans) have long been reserved for three types of buyers: those with particularly large families; hotels that need shuttles; and rental fleets.

Try to convince a typical Aussie to buy one of these boxy vehicles rather than a trendier SUV and you’ll often be met with a look of disgust, no matter how much they enjoyed the Kia Carnival they rented on their last interstate holiday…

People movers never reached the dizzying sales heights here that they did in markets like Europe and the US, both places where their popularity has faded as SUV demand has continued to grow.

In Australia, long-running nameplates like the Toyota Tarago and Honda Odyssey have disappeared, while the Kia Carnival has consolidated its share of the people mover market segment, which now sits at just over 73 per cent. Mind you, it’s not a huge segment, and is outsold by even mid-size passenger cars.

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Xpeng X9: A Luxurious People Mover Coming to Australia

Xpeng is set to introduce the X9, a stylish and luxurious people mover, to the Australian market in 2026. Priced starting from $76,590 before on-road costs, the X9 in Luxury trim offers executive transport features such as heated, ventilated, and massaging second-row captain’s chairs with power leg rests.

The local distributor, TrueEV, has expressed confidence in the X9’s success in Australia based on the significant interest and pre-orders received. TrueEV CEO Jason Clarke stated that the demand for the X9 is already proven.

While pricing and specifications for the X9 are yet to be announced, customer deliveries are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2026. The X9 will be available in Australia with either electric (EV) or extended-range electric (EREV) powertrains, boasting an 800V electrical architecture and air suspension that positions it as a competitor to the Zeekr 009.

On the other hand, Denza is considering bringing the D9 people mover to Australia after receiving road vehicle type approval. The D9 has been successful in markets like Indonesia and Malaysia, prompting Denza Australia to explore its potential in the Australian market.

While Denza Australia is currently focusing on launching large off-road SUVs, the D9 remains a possibility for the future. The D9 is available in electric guise for Australia, with a plug-in hybrid option offered in China. Additionally, a luxurious Pioneer Edition variant is available in China, featuring a unique interior layout with a 32-inch integrated screen.

Furthermore, GWM is set to introduce the Wey G9, a premium plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive people mover, under the GWM banner in Australia. This addition will expand GWM’s lineup in Australia, offering customers a diverse range of vehicles.

Other Chinese brands, such as Geely, MG, and BYD, also have offerings in the people mover segment, showcasing the growing interest in this market. With several Chinese brands eyeing the Australian market, the competition in the people mover segment is expected to intensify.

Overall, the introduction of the Xpeng X9 and the potential arrival of the Denza D9 and Wey G9 highlight the evolving landscape of people movers in the Australian automotive market. As more Chinese brands consider entering Australia, consumers can expect a diverse range of options in the people mover segment.

Transform the following sentence:

“The cat sat lazily in the sun”

to:

“The lazy cat lounged in the warm sunshine.” Transform the following:

Original: I am going to the store to buy some groceries.
Transformed: I will be heading to the store to purchase groceries.