The reason why you are seeing many more of these brands on the road, is because Chinese car manufacturers are able to get access to chips and semi conductors (which are in very short supply after the major factory supplying the car industry burnt down). In addition many do everything inhouse (like Hyundai do), so have no reliance on external providers/manufacturers).
Add to this that China to Australia is a faster shipping route, that cars built in other countries (including Japan and Korea).
All this adds up to (currently) more stock availability of Chinese made cars.
Having looked around at cars recently, the blinding obvious concern about many of the Chinese brands, was in the fitment of panels (inconsistent panel gaps), average / thin paint, excessive use of cheap interior plastics.
That leads to a cheap car, but one that probably won't last in Australias hotter climates and summers. Heat damages plastics and creates expansion and contraction issues with trims.
Honestly after looking at them closely I'd never buy these from your list (or any other Chinese owned car manufacturer):
- Haval
- Baic
- MG
- Great Wall (LOL)
- Ssangyong
These below however have come leaps and bounds in recent times. KIA still have a way to go with their interiors, but they are getting better. Still too much hard plastics and movement in said plastics.
Hyundai own Genesis (the later being their luxury brand). The i30s are a great little car and superbly reliable. That said in recent times both KIA and Hyundai have had a string of recalls.
That said though Hyundai have come a long way and it's no suprise they are selling well, as it's a pretty decent package. Outside of Chinese car manufacturers they are one of the only car manufacturers that own everything from the chips and panels put into their vehicles, through to the logistics and cargo ships their vehicles arrive on. Pretty impressive!
- Genesis
- Hyundai
- Kia (special up-yours to these Karmichaels)
Oh and a side note but the Hyundai Excel Twin Cams went bloody hard in their day. A mate had one and it got the living shit thrashed out of it and still was going well with 180k on the clock.