Chinese manufacturer Deepal will launch in Australia with a skeleton single-car lineup but that could quickly change, with a range of electric and range-extender vehicles under consideration for our market.
The electric vehicle (EV) brand – owned by Chinese carmaking giant Changan – launched its Australian operation in Sydney last night, which will be spearheaded by the S07 electric SUV.
That car will be sold by automotive importer Inchcape from late November, however the Deepal catalogue also includes a wide range of other vehicles available in overseas markets.
Headlining the list of possible models for the Australian market is the G318, a Prado-sized SUV sold by Deepal in China.
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Deepal G318 
The large, unibody SUV features a range-extender drivetrain, with its 1.5-litre engine effectively acting as a generator to charge a small battery which powers its electric motors.
There are two variants of this powertrain: one with a rear-mounted 185kW electric motor, and a second which adds a 131kW electric motor to the front axle, combining for a total output of 316kW.
Deepal also displayed the E07 at its Australian launch, an unusual SUV/ute mash-up.
It’s sold in Deepal’s home market as the Changan Qiyuan E07, and is available with either electric or range-extender powertrains. Electric versions of the E07 produce up to 440kW of power, with a claimed driving range of 651km.
Two other ‘concept’ vehicles were present at the Sydney launch: the L07 sedan, on which the Mazda EZ-6 is based, and the S05 small SUV.
All four cars on display were left-hand drive versions of models that have already launched elsewhere.
Changan Qiyuan E07
Deepal Australia is strongly considering all vehicles for the local market, according to general manager Cormac Cafolla.
“As the brand grows, of course, we’re interested to see what the opportunity within the market is,” Mr Cafolla told media at the launch of the S07.
“Eyes are drawn to the large SUV, given the consumer attraction of that product in the Australian market.
“We’re exploring, and we’re talking to our Chinese team about all of the vehicles here tonight, and how we bring them to Australia.”
One key sticking point will be the right-hand drive conversion of Deepal models, given all are sold in China as left-hand drive vehicles.
Deepal L07 
The S07 has been converted for sale in Australia in Thailand, while the L07 sedan is also available in right-hand drive in Thailand.
“We have to make sure that they’re fit and right for the Australia market,” said Mr Cafolla.
“Anything that we believe will serve consumer interest in Australia, we will push as hard as we can to make sure they hit the roads.
“They have to be engineered for right-hand drive, and as soon as that’s done, that’s one of the key facts to allow us to bring them here.”
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