China’s Changan Automotive has foreshadowed a new foray into the Australian market by putting up job ads seeking staff to help with the launch of a “premium automotive brand”. The move means its Avatr vehicles are coming down under, but also paves the way for Changan-branded cars to be sold here too.

One of the advertisements seen by WhichCar by Wheels reveals Changan is looking for a senior brand and marketing manager to help with “launching a new premium automotive brand in Australia”. 

Front view of a silver futuristic SUV facing the camera, showing the grille-less front and sleek headlights, with a black license plate area containing Chinese characters and '07L'
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The company is also hiring an Australian network development manager and legal manager, with the former position described as “crucial in supporting the planning, expanding, optimising and management of the Avatr/Changan sales and service network”.

That last detail seems to foreshadow the manufacturer selling vehicles under its own badge. At the moment, the company is represented in Australia by Deepal, which launched here in 2024. It has been reported that the new development does not mean Changan will take over distribution of those vehicles. WhichCar by Wheels contacted Deepal for comment.

Avatr is placed to compete with luxury rivals Zeekr, owned by Geely, and Denza, which is owned by BYD. More established marques like Audi and Lexus should also be in the crosshairs of the brand, in which Changan is the majority shareholder. 

In May, Avatr revealed its answer to the Zeekr 7X, the 07L. It’s bigger than the regular 07, with dimensions that come close to those of the Tesla Model Y, but with more length and a longer wheelbase. 

Futuristic car cabin with a large central touchscreen, tan upholstery, and ambient lighting, sunset visible through the windshield.",
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The Atatr 07 features a rear-mounted electric motor that makes 252kW and 365Nm, fed by an 82.16kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. It runs an 800-volt system, has a claimed CLTC range of 650km and a 0-100km/h time of 6.3 seconds. 

An AWD variant in Hong Kong and Singapore has dual motors that make a combined 440kW and 645Nm, with the single-motor 07 photographed being tested in Melbourne in May.