World's largest EV maker BYD slows production
BYD has reportedly reduced production at its Chinese factories after significant price cuts have seen slower growth than planned in the company's home market.
According to Automotive News, BYD – which overtook Tesla to become the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) maker in 2024 – has made the unprecedented move of cancelling night shifts at some of its plants.
The report suggests the automaker has reduced capacity by as much as one third at some of its plants, suspending plans for new product assembly lines as part of the move.
One source told Automotive News BYD has missed targets to grow sales from the 4.27 million it sold globally in 2024 – including 20,458 in Australia – to 5.5 million in 2025.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
By the end of May 2025 BYD had sold 1.76 million cars globally, the rate working out to be 4.23 million for the full calendar year.
BYD would not confirm the slowdown or comment when approached by Automotive News.
Making BYD's performance less obvious has been a dramatic global sales slide for Tesla including falls in Europe, China and Australia, with the Toyota RAV4 knocking off the Tesla Model Y as the world's best-selling vehicle.
In the first three months of 2025, Tesla production fell to 362,615 units compared to 433,371 over the same period the previous year, with revenue falling 66 per cent.
Yet China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) production figures for BYD revealed growth of only 0.2 per cent in May 2025, the lowest growth figures since February 2024, which had fewer production days as the month was disrupted by national holidays.
Data from the China Automotive Dealer Association (CADA) showed BYD held 3.21 months' worth of stock at its China dealers compared to the 1.38 industry average, again confirming slower than expected sales.
The automaker exclusively builds electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (EVs and PHEVs), having ended production of pure combustion-powered vehicles in 2022.
In a move seen previously in the automotive industry in the United States and Australia, the China Auto Dealers Chamber of Commerce has called for car manufacturers to stop loading up dealers with excess stock.
The news also comes as Chinese automakers have been accused of recording sales of new cars in China to obtain new-car financial subsidies, but then shipping those cars overseas as 'used', inflating Chinese sales figures and sales growth.
According to Reuters, the issue came to light when Great Wall Motor (GWM) chairman Wei Jianjun was critical of the practice – known as selling 'zero mileage cars' – in May.
The practice has also put downward pressure on new vehicle prices, sparking a price war to reduce the margin on each vehicle, ironically making sales of zero-mileage cars more enticing.
The BYD Seagull – a city-sized EV hatch which could also get a start in Australian showrooms – was overtaken in May 2025 by the Geely Geome Xingyuan, offered with both EV and hybrid versions, as China's best-selling vehicle.
After launching here exclusively with EVs, BYD introduced its first PHEVs to the Australian market last year.
BYD will take over the local distribution from EVDirect on July 1, 2025, with ex-Honda Australia director Stephen Collins announced as chief operating officer earlier this month.
The company's Australian sales are up 94.7 per cent to the end of May 2025, led by the Ford Ranger-rivalling Shark 6 pickup with a raft of new models – including the Atto 2 small SUV and the Sealion 8 seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV – confirmed for local showrooms.
MORE: Everything BYD
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
BYD has reportedly reduced production at its Chinese factories after significant price cuts have seen slower growth than planned in the company's home market.
According to Automotive News, BYD – which overtook Tesla to become the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) maker in 2024 – has made the unprecedented move of cancelling night shifts at some of its plants.
The report suggests the automaker has reduced capacity by as much as one third at some of its plants, suspending plans for new product assembly lines as part of the move.
One source told Automotive News BYD has missed targets to grow sales from the 4.27 million it sold globally in 2024 – including 20,458 in Australia – to 5.5 million in 2025.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
By the end of May 2025 BYD had sold 1.76 million cars globally, the rate working out to be 4.23 million for the full calendar year.
BYD would not confirm the slowdown or comment when approached by Automotive News.
Making BYD's performance less obvious has been a dramatic global sales slide for Tesla including falls in Europe, China and Australia, with the Toyota RAV4 knocking off the Tesla Model Y as the world's best-selling vehicle.
In the first three months of 2025, Tesla production fell to 362,615 units compared to 433,371 over the same period the previous year, with revenue falling 66 per cent.
Yet China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) production figures for BYD revealed growth of only 0.2 per cent in May 2025, the lowest growth figures since February 2024, which had fewer production days as the month was disrupted by national holidays.
Data from the China Automotive Dealer Association (CADA) showed BYD held 3.21 months' worth of stock at its China dealers compared to the 1.38 industry average, again confirming slower than expected sales.
The automaker exclusively builds electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (EVs and PHEVs), having ended production of pure combustion-powered vehicles in 2022.
In a move seen previously in the automotive industry in the United States and Australia, the China Auto Dealers Chamber of Commerce has called for car manufacturers to stop loading up dealers with excess stock.
The news also comes as Chinese automakers have been accused of recording sales of new cars in China to obtain new-car financial subsidies, but then shipping those cars overseas as 'used', inflating Chinese sales figures and sales growth.
According to Reuters, the issue came to light when Great Wall Motor (GWM) chairman Wei Jianjun was critical of the practice – known as selling 'zero mileage cars' – in May.
The practice has also put downward pressure on new vehicle prices, sparking a price war to reduce the margin on each vehicle, ironically making sales of zero-mileage cars more enticing.
The BYD Seagull – a city-sized EV hatch which could also get a start in Australian showrooms – was overtaken in May 2025 by the Geely Geome Xingyuan, offered with both EV and hybrid versions, as China's best-selling vehicle.
After launching here exclusively with EVs, BYD introduced its first PHEVs to the Australian market last year.
BYD will take over the local distribution from EVDirect on July 1, 2025, with ex-Honda Australia director Stephen Collins announced as chief operating officer earlier this month.
The company's Australian sales are up 94.7 per cent to the end of May 2025, led by the Ford Ranger-rivalling Shark 6 pickup with a raft of new models – including the Atto 2 small SUV and the Sealion 8 seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV – confirmed for local showrooms.
MORE: Everything BYD
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
BYD has reportedly reduced production at its Chinese factories after significant price cuts have seen slower growth than planned in the company's home market.
According to Automotive News, BYD – which overtook Tesla to become the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) maker in 2024 – has made the unprecedented move of cancelling night shifts at some of its plants.
The report suggests the automaker has reduced capacity by as much as one third at some of its plants, suspending plans for new product assembly lines as part of the move.
One source told Automotive News BYD has missed targets to grow sales from the 4.27 million it sold globally in 2024 – including 20,458 in Australia – to 5.5 million in 2025.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
By the end of May 2025 BYD had sold 1.76 million cars globally, the rate working out to be 4.23 million for the full calendar year.
BYD would not confirm the slowdown or comment when approached by Automotive News.
Making BYD's performance less obvious has been a dramatic global sales slide for Tesla including falls in Europe, China and Australia, with the Toyota RAV4 knocking off the Tesla Model Y as the world's best-selling vehicle.
In the first three months of 2025, Tesla production fell to 362,615 units compared to 433,371 over the same period the previous year, with revenue falling 66 per cent.
Yet China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) production figures for BYD revealed growth of only 0.2 per cent in May 2025, the lowest growth figures since February 2024, which had fewer production days as the month was disrupted by national holidays.
Data from the China Automotive Dealer Association (CADA) showed BYD held 3.21 months' worth of stock at its China dealers compared to the 1.38 industry average, again confirming slower than expected sales.
The automaker exclusively builds electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (EVs and PHEVs), having ended production of pure combustion-powered vehicles in 2022.
In a move seen previously in the automotive industry in the United States and Australia, the China Auto Dealers Chamber of Commerce has called for car manufacturers to stop loading up dealers with excess stock.
The news also comes as Chinese automakers have been accused of recording sales of new cars in China to obtain new-car financial subsidies, but then shipping those cars overseas as 'used', inflating Chinese sales figures and sales growth.
According to Reuters, the issue came to light when Great Wall Motor (GWM) chairman Wei Jianjun was critical of the practice – known as selling 'zero mileage cars' – in May.
The practice has also put downward pressure on new vehicle prices, sparking a price war to reduce the margin on each vehicle, ironically making sales of zero-mileage cars more enticing.
The BYD Seagull – a city-sized EV hatch which could also get a start in Australian showrooms – was overtaken in May 2025 by the Geely Geome Xingyuan, offered with both EV and hybrid versions, as China's best-selling vehicle.
After launching here exclusively with EVs, BYD introduced its first PHEVs to the Australian market last year.
BYD will take over the local distribution from EVDirect on July 1, 2025, with ex-Honda Australia director Stephen Collins announced as chief operating officer earlier this month.
The company's Australian sales are up 94.7 per cent to the end of May 2025, led by the Ford Ranger-rivalling Shark 6 pickup with a raft of new models – including the Atto 2 small SUV and the Sealion 8 seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV – confirmed for local showrooms.
MORE: Everything BYD
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
BYD has reportedly reduced production at its Chinese factories after significant price cuts have seen slower growth than planned in the company's home market.
According to Automotive News, BYD – which overtook Tesla to become the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) maker in 2024 – has made the unprecedented move of cancelling night shifts at some of its plants.
The report suggests the automaker has reduced capacity by as much as one third at some of its plants, suspending plans for new product assembly lines as part of the move.
One source told Automotive News BYD has missed targets to grow sales from the 4.27 million it sold globally in 2024 – including 20,458 in Australia – to 5.5 million in 2025.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
By the end of May 2025 BYD had sold 1.76 million cars globally, the rate working out to be 4.23 million for the full calendar year.
BYD would not confirm the slowdown or comment when approached by Automotive News.
Making BYD's performance less obvious has been a dramatic global sales slide for Tesla including falls in Europe, China and Australia, with the Toyota RAV4 knocking off the Tesla Model Y as the world's best-selling vehicle.
In the first three months of 2025, Tesla production fell to 362,615 units compared to 433,371 over the same period the previous year, with revenue falling 66 per cent.
Yet China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) production figures for BYD revealed growth of only 0.2 per cent in May 2025, the lowest growth figures since February 2024, which had fewer production days as the month was disrupted by national holidays.
Data from the China Automotive Dealer Association (CADA) showed BYD held 3.21 months' worth of stock at its China dealers compared to the 1.38 industry average, again confirming slower than expected sales.
The automaker exclusively builds electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (EVs and PHEVs), having ended production of pure combustion-powered vehicles in 2022.
In a move seen previously in the automotive industry in the United States and Australia, the China Auto Dealers Chamber of Commerce has called for car manufacturers to stop loading up dealers with excess stock.
The news also comes as Chinese automakers have been accused of recording sales of new cars in China to obtain new-car financial subsidies, but then shipping those cars overseas as 'used', inflating Chinese sales figures and sales growth.
According to Reuters, the issue came to light when Great Wall Motor (GWM) chairman Wei Jianjun was critical of the practice – known as selling 'zero mileage cars' – in May.
The practice has also put downward pressure on new vehicle prices, sparking a price war to reduce the margin on each vehicle, ironically making sales of zero-mileage cars more enticing.
The BYD Seagull – a city-sized EV hatch which could also get a start in Australian showrooms – was overtaken in May 2025 by the Geely Geome Xingyuan, offered with both EV and hybrid versions, as China's best-selling vehicle.
After launching here exclusively with EVs, BYD introduced its first PHEVs to the Australian market last year.
BYD will take over the local distribution from EVDirect on July 1, 2025, with ex-Honda Australia director Stephen Collins announced as chief operating officer earlier this month.
The company's Australian sales are up 94.7 per cent to the end of May 2025, led by the Ford Ranger-rivalling Shark 6 pickup with a raft of new models – including the Atto 2 small SUV and the Sealion 8 seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV – confirmed for local showrooms.
MORE: Everything BYD
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS vs BYD Sealion 6 Essential comparison: Spec battle
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV is the ideal solution for Australian families on a one-car budget. Until recently though, with the exception of the popular Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Haval H6 GT PHEV and MG H6 Plus EV, the fuel-saving powertrain technology has been largely out of reach for many buyers and reserved mostly for large and expensive luxury SUVs. But a bunch of Chinese newcomers, including Jaecoo and BYD, are making it more accessible with models like these, the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 Essential. Both are roughly the same size, both cost less than $50k, both are loaded with the latest safety equipment and digital technologies, and both feature a petrol-electric drivetrain with battery packs that are big enough to handle the average daily commute without using a drop of unleaded. So which one is best? Let's find out… The BYD Sealion 6 range has been revised for 2025, with a renamed entry-level Essential variant (previously known as the Dynamic) that sets a new benchmark as the most affordable plug-in mid-size SUV available in Australia, priced from $42,990 before on-road costs. Buyers can also choose to pay $10k more for the flagship BYD Sealion 6 Premium that features an additional electric motor, giving it all-wheel drive, plus more standard equipment. Jaecoo only offers a single variant of its new J7 with a plug-in powertrain, the range-topping SHS Summit that costs $47,990 drive-away, which makes these two pretty much lineball on price once their in your driveway. There are, however, three cheaper non-hybrid J7 variants that sit under the SHS Summit, including the entry-level Core 2WD that costs just $34,990 drive-away, the higher grade Track 2WD that costs $5k more, and the all-wheel drive Ridge with a $42,990 drive-away price tag. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 come with a generous level of standard equipment. Common features to both vehicles include: The Jaecoo brings a few extras that are missing from the BYD in Essential trim, such as heated and ventilated front seats, a head-up display, wireless phone charger and embedded satellite navigation. While the Sealion 6 has a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (compared to 10.25-inch in the J7), its central 12.8-inch touchscreen that can be rotated to either landscape or portrait configurations is smaller than the J7's fixed 14.8-inch unit. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 have been given a maximum five-star ANCAP rating. Standard safety kit for both models includes: The Jaecoo adds a few more features that are missing from the entry-level Sealion 6, including front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and the previously mentioned head-up display, plus it has eight airbags including a driver's knee and centre airbag, while the BYD only has seven. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool As you'd expect for a mid-size SUV, both the Jaecoo and BYD offer plenty of space with seating for five and decent cargo carrying capacity. The BYD is fractionally larger in overall length and width, but the Jaecoo rides on a slightly longer wheelbase which opens up the cabin a bit more, matching the Sealion 6 for rear seat room, but compromising boot space. With 340 litres of total volume behind the rear seats, the Jaecoo J7 is more on par with a small hatch, while the BYD boot is significantly larger and offers more depth. As for what they look like inside and how they function, the Jaecoo J7 has a classy yet much simpler aesthetic with a horizontal dashboard design that features floating digital screens and a dominant centre console running the length between the driver and passenger seats. It looks good and the quality of materials present well, with soft-touch faux leather and brushed aluminium highlights throughout. And it feels spacious and airy thanks to the panoramic glass roof and lighter-coloured roof liner. The seats are comfortable and it's nice to have both heated and cooled ventilation to combat our extreme climate, but they don't have much lateral support. The large tablet-style infotainment screen in the centre is bright and clear, with a logical menu structure to access the myriad of functions available. It would be nice to have a selection of physical controls for often-used elements such as the audio volume and ventilation, but it becomes easier once you're familiar with the shortcuts available. There are some strange elements in the Jaecoo that take more time to get accustomed to, such as the convex shape of the rear-view mirror, the upside-down controls for the power windows, and the alarming noise of the door handles retracting into the body every time you set off. The BYD Sealion 6's cabin has more wow factor on face value thanks its contrasting brown-on-black colour palette, sweeping dashboard layout, and its rotating touchscreen party trick. But, even though it too has a full-length glass roof, it feels a little more cosy than the Jaecoo with a darker headliner. Otherwise, both have excellent headroom and plenty of space across the back seats, plus rear vents, power outlets and cupholders in the centre armrest, as well as many convenient options for small item storage. The BYD's greater boot space is more handy for larger families, but the seats don't fold fully flat like they do in the Jaecoo, which allows loading of larger items. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Philosophically, there's not a lot that separates these two. Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 Essential pair a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a single electric motor that drives the front wheels and is powered by a relatively large 18.3kWh battery. However, the Jaecoo's internal combustion engine incorporates a turbocharger, whereas the BYD is naturally aspirated, which helps the former produce significantly higher outputs. In the Jaecoo, the petrol engine alone develops 105kW of power and 215Nm of torque, compared to just 72kW and 122Nm for the BYD. With the addition of an electric motor for each vehicle, which produce almost identical outputs (150kW/310Nm versus 145kW/300Nm), Jeacoo claims the J7 has a maximum combined power of 255kW and a V8-like 525Nm of torque, while the Sealion 6 produces significantly less at 160kW/300Nm. However, the net result is that both SUVs can be used to cover the average daily commute as an electric-only vehicle, with the ability to cover around 90km of driving on battery power alone, and super-low combined fuel consumption figures of 1.0L/100km and 1.1L/100km respectively. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Both of these newcomer brands provide excellent long-term owner benefits, but Jaecoo comes out ahead with a longer eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty compared to the Sealion 6's six-year/150,000km warranty. They each come with free roadside assistance for the first year, which is reactivated for the duration of the warranty period when scheduled servicing is completed within their authorised dealer networks. Both require servicing every 12 months, but BYD allows for greater annual mileage, and its capped price servicing scheme extends for more than a decade. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool With both of these cars, you can have you cake and eat it too. Each of them provides all you need – and more – from a mid-size family soft-roader, including plenty of space, a long list of standard equipment, the latest in safety technology and conveniences, and efficient long-range driving capabilities. The BYD' Sealion 6's list price (excluding statutory on-road costs) might look more attractive, and its larger boot could be more convenient for larger families, but the Jaecoo J7 offers more kit, more power and is (ever so fractionally) more affordable to own. Interested in buying a BYD Sealion 7? Let CarExpert find you the best deal here Interested in buying a Jaecoo J7? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the BYD Sealion 6 showroom MORE: Explore the Jaecoo J7 showroom Content originally sourced from: A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV is the ideal solution for Australian families on a one-car budget. Until recently though, with the exception of the popular Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Haval H6 GT PHEV and MG H6 Plus EV, the fuel-saving powertrain technology has been largely out of reach for many buyers and reserved mostly for large and expensive luxury SUVs. But a bunch of Chinese newcomers, including Jaecoo and BYD, are making it more accessible with models like these, the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 Essential. Both are roughly the same size, both cost less than $50k, both are loaded with the latest safety equipment and digital technologies, and both feature a petrol-electric drivetrain with battery packs that are big enough to handle the average daily commute without using a drop of unleaded. So which one is best? Let's find out… The BYD Sealion 6 range has been revised for 2025, with a renamed entry-level Essential variant (previously known as the Dynamic) that sets a new benchmark as the most affordable plug-in mid-size SUV available in Australia, priced from $42,990 before on-road costs. Buyers can also choose to pay $10k more for the flagship BYD Sealion 6 Premium that features an additional electric motor, giving it all-wheel drive, plus more standard equipment. Jaecoo only offers a single variant of its new J7 with a plug-in powertrain, the range-topping SHS Summit that costs $47,990 drive-away, which makes these two pretty much lineball on price once their in your driveway. There are, however, three cheaper non-hybrid J7 variants that sit under the SHS Summit, including the entry-level Core 2WD that costs just $34,990 drive-away, the higher grade Track 2WD that costs $5k more, and the all-wheel drive Ridge with a $42,990 drive-away price tag. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 come with a generous level of standard equipment. Common features to both vehicles include: The Jaecoo brings a few extras that are missing from the BYD in Essential trim, such as heated and ventilated front seats, a head-up display, wireless phone charger and embedded satellite navigation. While the Sealion 6 has a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (compared to 10.25-inch in the J7), its central 12.8-inch touchscreen that can be rotated to either landscape or portrait configurations is smaller than the J7's fixed 14.8-inch unit. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 have been given a maximum five-star ANCAP rating. Standard safety kit for both models includes: The Jaecoo adds a few more features that are missing from the entry-level Sealion 6, including front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and the previously mentioned head-up display, plus it has eight airbags including a driver's knee and centre airbag, while the BYD only has seven. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool As you'd expect for a mid-size SUV, both the Jaecoo and BYD offer plenty of space with seating for five and decent cargo carrying capacity. The BYD is fractionally larger in overall length and width, but the Jaecoo rides on a slightly longer wheelbase which opens up the cabin a bit more, matching the Sealion 6 for rear seat room, but compromising boot space. With 340 litres of total volume behind the rear seats, the Jaecoo J7 is more on par with a small hatch, while the BYD boot is significantly larger and offers more depth. As for what they look like inside and how they function, the Jaecoo J7 has a classy yet much simpler aesthetic with a horizontal dashboard design that features floating digital screens and a dominant centre console running the length between the driver and passenger seats. It looks good and the quality of materials present well, with soft-touch faux leather and brushed aluminium highlights throughout. And it feels spacious and airy thanks to the panoramic glass roof and lighter-coloured roof liner. The seats are comfortable and it's nice to have both heated and cooled ventilation to combat our extreme climate, but they don't have much lateral support. The large tablet-style infotainment screen in the centre is bright and clear, with a logical menu structure to access the myriad of functions available. It would be nice to have a selection of physical controls for often-used elements such as the audio volume and ventilation, but it becomes easier once you're familiar with the shortcuts available. There are some strange elements in the Jaecoo that take more time to get accustomed to, such as the convex shape of the rear-view mirror, the upside-down controls for the power windows, and the alarming noise of the door handles retracting into the body every time you set off. The BYD Sealion 6's cabin has more wow factor on face value thanks its contrasting brown-on-black colour palette, sweeping dashboard layout, and its rotating touchscreen party trick. But, even though it too has a full-length glass roof, it feels a little more cosy than the Jaecoo with a darker headliner. Otherwise, both have excellent headroom and plenty of space across the back seats, plus rear vents, power outlets and cupholders in the centre armrest, as well as many convenient options for small item storage. The BYD's greater boot space is more handy for larger families, but the seats don't fold fully flat like they do in the Jaecoo, which allows loading of larger items. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Philosophically, there's not a lot that separates these two. Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 Essential pair a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a single electric motor that drives the front wheels and is powered by a relatively large 18.3kWh battery. However, the Jaecoo's internal combustion engine incorporates a turbocharger, whereas the BYD is naturally aspirated, which helps the former produce significantly higher outputs. In the Jaecoo, the petrol engine alone develops 105kW of power and 215Nm of torque, compared to just 72kW and 122Nm for the BYD. With the addition of an electric motor for each vehicle, which produce almost identical outputs (150kW/310Nm versus 145kW/300Nm), Jeacoo claims the J7 has a maximum combined power of 255kW and a V8-like 525Nm of torque, while the Sealion 6 produces significantly less at 160kW/300Nm. However, the net result is that both SUVs can be used to cover the average daily commute as an electric-only vehicle, with the ability to cover around 90km of driving on battery power alone, and super-low combined fuel consumption figures of 1.0L/100km and 1.1L/100km respectively. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Both of these newcomer brands provide excellent long-term owner benefits, but Jaecoo comes out ahead with a longer eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty compared to the Sealion 6's six-year/150,000km warranty. They each come with free roadside assistance for the first year, which is reactivated for the duration of the warranty period when scheduled servicing is completed within their authorised dealer networks. Both require servicing every 12 months, but BYD allows for greater annual mileage, and its capped price servicing scheme extends for more than a decade. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool With both of these cars, you can have you cake and eat it too. Each of them provides all you need – and more – from a mid-size family soft-roader, including plenty of space, a long list of standard equipment, the latest in safety technology and conveniences, and efficient long-range driving capabilities. The BYD' Sealion 6's list price (excluding statutory on-road costs) might look more attractive, and its larger boot could be more convenient for larger families, but the Jaecoo J7 offers more kit, more power and is (ever so fractionally) more affordable to own. Interested in buying a BYD Sealion 7? Let CarExpert find you the best deal here Interested in buying a Jaecoo J7? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the BYD Sealion 6 showroom MORE: Explore the Jaecoo J7 showroom Content originally sourced from: A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV is the ideal solution for Australian families on a one-car budget. Until recently though, with the exception of the popular Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Haval H6 GT PHEV and MG H6 Plus EV, the fuel-saving powertrain technology has been largely out of reach for many buyers and reserved mostly for large and expensive luxury SUVs. But a bunch of Chinese newcomers, including Jaecoo and BYD, are making it more accessible with models like these, the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 Essential. Both are roughly the same size, both cost less than $50k, both are loaded with the latest safety equipment and digital technologies, and both feature a petrol-electric drivetrain with battery packs that are big enough to handle the average daily commute without using a drop of unleaded. So which one is best? Let's find out… The BYD Sealion 6 range has been revised for 2025, with a renamed entry-level Essential variant (previously known as the Dynamic) that sets a new benchmark as the most affordable plug-in mid-size SUV available in Australia, priced from $42,990 before on-road costs. Buyers can also choose to pay $10k more for the flagship BYD Sealion 6 Premium that features an additional electric motor, giving it all-wheel drive, plus more standard equipment. Jaecoo only offers a single variant of its new J7 with a plug-in powertrain, the range-topping SHS Summit that costs $47,990 drive-away, which makes these two pretty much lineball on price once their in your driveway. There are, however, three cheaper non-hybrid J7 variants that sit under the SHS Summit, including the entry-level Core 2WD that costs just $34,990 drive-away, the higher grade Track 2WD that costs $5k more, and the all-wheel drive Ridge with a $42,990 drive-away price tag. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 come with a generous level of standard equipment. Common features to both vehicles include: The Jaecoo brings a few extras that are missing from the BYD in Essential trim, such as heated and ventilated front seats, a head-up display, wireless phone charger and embedded satellite navigation. While the Sealion 6 has a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (compared to 10.25-inch in the J7), its central 12.8-inch touchscreen that can be rotated to either landscape or portrait configurations is smaller than the J7's fixed 14.8-inch unit. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 have been given a maximum five-star ANCAP rating. Standard safety kit for both models includes: The Jaecoo adds a few more features that are missing from the entry-level Sealion 6, including front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and the previously mentioned head-up display, plus it has eight airbags including a driver's knee and centre airbag, while the BYD only has seven. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool As you'd expect for a mid-size SUV, both the Jaecoo and BYD offer plenty of space with seating for five and decent cargo carrying capacity. The BYD is fractionally larger in overall length and width, but the Jaecoo rides on a slightly longer wheelbase which opens up the cabin a bit more, matching the Sealion 6 for rear seat room, but compromising boot space. With 340 litres of total volume behind the rear seats, the Jaecoo J7 is more on par with a small hatch, while the BYD boot is significantly larger and offers more depth. As for what they look like inside and how they function, the Jaecoo J7 has a classy yet much simpler aesthetic with a horizontal dashboard design that features floating digital screens and a dominant centre console running the length between the driver and passenger seats. It looks good and the quality of materials present well, with soft-touch faux leather and brushed aluminium highlights throughout. And it feels spacious and airy thanks to the panoramic glass roof and lighter-coloured roof liner. The seats are comfortable and it's nice to have both heated and cooled ventilation to combat our extreme climate, but they don't have much lateral support. The large tablet-style infotainment screen in the centre is bright and clear, with a logical menu structure to access the myriad of functions available. It would be nice to have a selection of physical controls for often-used elements such as the audio volume and ventilation, but it becomes easier once you're familiar with the shortcuts available. There are some strange elements in the Jaecoo that take more time to get accustomed to, such as the convex shape of the rear-view mirror, the upside-down controls for the power windows, and the alarming noise of the door handles retracting into the body every time you set off. The BYD Sealion 6's cabin has more wow factor on face value thanks its contrasting brown-on-black colour palette, sweeping dashboard layout, and its rotating touchscreen party trick. But, even though it too has a full-length glass roof, it feels a little more cosy than the Jaecoo with a darker headliner. Otherwise, both have excellent headroom and plenty of space across the back seats, plus rear vents, power outlets and cupholders in the centre armrest, as well as many convenient options for small item storage. The BYD's greater boot space is more handy for larger families, but the seats don't fold fully flat like they do in the Jaecoo, which allows loading of larger items. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Philosophically, there's not a lot that separates these two. Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 Essential pair a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a single electric motor that drives the front wheels and is powered by a relatively large 18.3kWh battery. However, the Jaecoo's internal combustion engine incorporates a turbocharger, whereas the BYD is naturally aspirated, which helps the former produce significantly higher outputs. In the Jaecoo, the petrol engine alone develops 105kW of power and 215Nm of torque, compared to just 72kW and 122Nm for the BYD. With the addition of an electric motor for each vehicle, which produce almost identical outputs (150kW/310Nm versus 145kW/300Nm), Jeacoo claims the J7 has a maximum combined power of 255kW and a V8-like 525Nm of torque, while the Sealion 6 produces significantly less at 160kW/300Nm. However, the net result is that both SUVs can be used to cover the average daily commute as an electric-only vehicle, with the ability to cover around 90km of driving on battery power alone, and super-low combined fuel consumption figures of 1.0L/100km and 1.1L/100km respectively. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Both of these newcomer brands provide excellent long-term owner benefits, but Jaecoo comes out ahead with a longer eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty compared to the Sealion 6's six-year/150,000km warranty. They each come with free roadside assistance for the first year, which is reactivated for the duration of the warranty period when scheduled servicing is completed within their authorised dealer networks. Both require servicing every 12 months, but BYD allows for greater annual mileage, and its capped price servicing scheme extends for more than a decade. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool With both of these cars, you can have you cake and eat it too. Each of them provides all you need – and more – from a mid-size family soft-roader, including plenty of space, a long list of standard equipment, the latest in safety technology and conveniences, and efficient long-range driving capabilities. The BYD' Sealion 6's list price (excluding statutory on-road costs) might look more attractive, and its larger boot could be more convenient for larger families, but the Jaecoo J7 offers more kit, more power and is (ever so fractionally) more affordable to own. Interested in buying a BYD Sealion 7? Let CarExpert find you the best deal here Interested in buying a Jaecoo J7? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the BYD Sealion 6 showroom MORE: Explore the Jaecoo J7 showroom Content originally sourced from: A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV is the ideal solution for Australian families on a one-car budget. Until recently though, with the exception of the popular Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Haval H6 GT PHEV and MG H6 Plus EV, the fuel-saving powertrain technology has been largely out of reach for many buyers and reserved mostly for large and expensive luxury SUVs. But a bunch of Chinese newcomers, including Jaecoo and BYD, are making it more accessible with models like these, the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 Essential. Both are roughly the same size, both cost less than $50k, both are loaded with the latest safety equipment and digital technologies, and both feature a petrol-electric drivetrain with battery packs that are big enough to handle the average daily commute without using a drop of unleaded. So which one is best? Let's find out… The BYD Sealion 6 range has been revised for 2025, with a renamed entry-level Essential variant (previously known as the Dynamic) that sets a new benchmark as the most affordable plug-in mid-size SUV available in Australia, priced from $42,990 before on-road costs. Buyers can also choose to pay $10k more for the flagship BYD Sealion 6 Premium that features an additional electric motor, giving it all-wheel drive, plus more standard equipment. Jaecoo only offers a single variant of its new J7 with a plug-in powertrain, the range-topping SHS Summit that costs $47,990 drive-away, which makes these two pretty much lineball on price once their in your driveway. There are, however, three cheaper non-hybrid J7 variants that sit under the SHS Summit, including the entry-level Core 2WD that costs just $34,990 drive-away, the higher grade Track 2WD that costs $5k more, and the all-wheel drive Ridge with a $42,990 drive-away price tag. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 come with a generous level of standard equipment. Common features to both vehicles include: The Jaecoo brings a few extras that are missing from the BYD in Essential trim, such as heated and ventilated front seats, a head-up display, wireless phone charger and embedded satellite navigation. While the Sealion 6 has a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (compared to 10.25-inch in the J7), its central 12.8-inch touchscreen that can be rotated to either landscape or portrait configurations is smaller than the J7's fixed 14.8-inch unit. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 have been given a maximum five-star ANCAP rating. Standard safety kit for both models includes: The Jaecoo adds a few more features that are missing from the entry-level Sealion 6, including front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and the previously mentioned head-up display, plus it has eight airbags including a driver's knee and centre airbag, while the BYD only has seven. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool As you'd expect for a mid-size SUV, both the Jaecoo and BYD offer plenty of space with seating for five and decent cargo carrying capacity. The BYD is fractionally larger in overall length and width, but the Jaecoo rides on a slightly longer wheelbase which opens up the cabin a bit more, matching the Sealion 6 for rear seat room, but compromising boot space. With 340 litres of total volume behind the rear seats, the Jaecoo J7 is more on par with a small hatch, while the BYD boot is significantly larger and offers more depth. As for what they look like inside and how they function, the Jaecoo J7 has a classy yet much simpler aesthetic with a horizontal dashboard design that features floating digital screens and a dominant centre console running the length between the driver and passenger seats. It looks good and the quality of materials present well, with soft-touch faux leather and brushed aluminium highlights throughout. And it feels spacious and airy thanks to the panoramic glass roof and lighter-coloured roof liner. The seats are comfortable and it's nice to have both heated and cooled ventilation to combat our extreme climate, but they don't have much lateral support. The large tablet-style infotainment screen in the centre is bright and clear, with a logical menu structure to access the myriad of functions available. It would be nice to have a selection of physical controls for often-used elements such as the audio volume and ventilation, but it becomes easier once you're familiar with the shortcuts available. There are some strange elements in the Jaecoo that take more time to get accustomed to, such as the convex shape of the rear-view mirror, the upside-down controls for the power windows, and the alarming noise of the door handles retracting into the body every time you set off. The BYD Sealion 6's cabin has more wow factor on face value thanks its contrasting brown-on-black colour palette, sweeping dashboard layout, and its rotating touchscreen party trick. But, even though it too has a full-length glass roof, it feels a little more cosy than the Jaecoo with a darker headliner. Otherwise, both have excellent headroom and plenty of space across the back seats, plus rear vents, power outlets and cupholders in the centre armrest, as well as many convenient options for small item storage. The BYD's greater boot space is more handy for larger families, but the seats don't fold fully flat like they do in the Jaecoo, which allows loading of larger items. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Philosophically, there's not a lot that separates these two. Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit and BYD Sealion 6 Essential pair a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a single electric motor that drives the front wheels and is powered by a relatively large 18.3kWh battery. However, the Jaecoo's internal combustion engine incorporates a turbocharger, whereas the BYD is naturally aspirated, which helps the former produce significantly higher outputs. In the Jaecoo, the petrol engine alone develops 105kW of power and 215Nm of torque, compared to just 72kW and 122Nm for the BYD. With the addition of an electric motor for each vehicle, which produce almost identical outputs (150kW/310Nm versus 145kW/300Nm), Jeacoo claims the J7 has a maximum combined power of 255kW and a V8-like 525Nm of torque, while the Sealion 6 produces significantly less at 160kW/300Nm. However, the net result is that both SUVs can be used to cover the average daily commute as an electric-only vehicle, with the ability to cover around 90km of driving on battery power alone, and super-low combined fuel consumption figures of 1.0L/100km and 1.1L/100km respectively. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Both of these newcomer brands provide excellent long-term owner benefits, but Jaecoo comes out ahead with a longer eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty compared to the Sealion 6's six-year/150,000km warranty. They each come with free roadside assistance for the first year, which is reactivated for the duration of the warranty period when scheduled servicing is completed within their authorised dealer networks. Both require servicing every 12 months, but BYD allows for greater annual mileage, and its capped price servicing scheme extends for more than a decade. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool With both of these cars, you can have you cake and eat it too. Each of them provides all you need – and more – from a mid-size family soft-roader, including plenty of space, a long list of standard equipment, the latest in safety technology and conveniences, and efficient long-range driving capabilities. The BYD' Sealion 6's list price (excluding statutory on-road costs) might look more attractive, and its larger boot could be more convenient for larger families, but the Jaecoo J7 offers more kit, more power and is (ever so fractionally) more affordable to own. Interested in buying a BYD Sealion 7? Let CarExpert find you the best deal here Interested in buying a Jaecoo J7? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the BYD Sealion 6 showroom MORE: Explore the Jaecoo J7 showroom Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Beijing deal will expedite rare earth exports, says US
The United States has reached an agreement with China on how to expedite rare earth shipments to the US, a White House official said, amid efforts to end a trade war between the world's biggest economies. President Donald Trump earlier said the United States had signed a deal with China on Wednesday, without providing additional details, and that there might be a separate deal coming up that would "open up" India. During US-China trade talks in May in Geneva, Beijing committed to removing non-tariff countermeasures imposed against the United States since April 2, although it was unclear how some of those measures would be walked back. As part of its retaliation against new US tariffs, China suspended exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets, upending the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world. "The administration and China agreed to an additional understanding for a framework to implement the Geneva agreement," a White House official said on Thursday. The understanding is "about how we can implement expediting rare earths shipments to the US again", the official said. A separate administration official said the US-China agreement took place earlier this week. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was quoted as saying by Bloomberg: "They're going to deliver rare earths to us" and once they do that "we'll take down our countermeasures." On Friday, China's commerce ministry said the two countries recently confirmed details on the framework of implementing the Geneva trade talks consensus. It said China will approve export applications of controlled items in accordance with the law. It did not mention rare earths. While the agreement shows potential progress following months of trade uncertainty and disruption since Trump took office in January, it also underscores the long road ahead to a final, definitive trade deal between the two economic rivals. China has been taking its dual-use restrictions on rare earths "very seriously" and has been vetting buyers to ensure that materials are not diverted to US military uses, according to an industry source. This has slowed down the licensing process. The Geneva deal had faltered over China's curbs on critical minerals exports, prompting the Trump administration to respond with export controls of its own preventing shipments of semiconductor design software, aircraft and other goods to China. In early June, Reuters reported China had granted temporary export licences to rare-earth suppliers of the top three US automakers, according to two sources familiar with the matter, as supply chain disruptions began to surface from export curbs on those materials. Later in the month, Trump said there was a deal with China in which Beijing would supply magnets and rare earth minerals while the US would allow Chinese students in its colleges and universities. The United States has reached an agreement with China on how to expedite rare earth shipments to the US, a White House official said, amid efforts to end a trade war between the world's biggest economies. President Donald Trump earlier said the United States had signed a deal with China on Wednesday, without providing additional details, and that there might be a separate deal coming up that would "open up" India. During US-China trade talks in May in Geneva, Beijing committed to removing non-tariff countermeasures imposed against the United States since April 2, although it was unclear how some of those measures would be walked back. As part of its retaliation against new US tariffs, China suspended exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets, upending the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world. "The administration and China agreed to an additional understanding for a framework to implement the Geneva agreement," a White House official said on Thursday. The understanding is "about how we can implement expediting rare earths shipments to the US again", the official said. A separate administration official said the US-China agreement took place earlier this week. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was quoted as saying by Bloomberg: "They're going to deliver rare earths to us" and once they do that "we'll take down our countermeasures." On Friday, China's commerce ministry said the two countries recently confirmed details on the framework of implementing the Geneva trade talks consensus. It said China will approve export applications of controlled items in accordance with the law. It did not mention rare earths. While the agreement shows potential progress following months of trade uncertainty and disruption since Trump took office in January, it also underscores the long road ahead to a final, definitive trade deal between the two economic rivals. China has been taking its dual-use restrictions on rare earths "very seriously" and has been vetting buyers to ensure that materials are not diverted to US military uses, according to an industry source. This has slowed down the licensing process. The Geneva deal had faltered over China's curbs on critical minerals exports, prompting the Trump administration to respond with export controls of its own preventing shipments of semiconductor design software, aircraft and other goods to China. In early June, Reuters reported China had granted temporary export licences to rare-earth suppliers of the top three US automakers, according to two sources familiar with the matter, as supply chain disruptions began to surface from export curbs on those materials. Later in the month, Trump said there was a deal with China in which Beijing would supply magnets and rare earth minerals while the US would allow Chinese students in its colleges and universities. The United States has reached an agreement with China on how to expedite rare earth shipments to the US, a White House official said, amid efforts to end a trade war between the world's biggest economies. President Donald Trump earlier said the United States had signed a deal with China on Wednesday, without providing additional details, and that there might be a separate deal coming up that would "open up" India. During US-China trade talks in May in Geneva, Beijing committed to removing non-tariff countermeasures imposed against the United States since April 2, although it was unclear how some of those measures would be walked back. As part of its retaliation against new US tariffs, China suspended exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets, upending the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world. "The administration and China agreed to an additional understanding for a framework to implement the Geneva agreement," a White House official said on Thursday. The understanding is "about how we can implement expediting rare earths shipments to the US again", the official said. A separate administration official said the US-China agreement took place earlier this week. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was quoted as saying by Bloomberg: "They're going to deliver rare earths to us" and once they do that "we'll take down our countermeasures." On Friday, China's commerce ministry said the two countries recently confirmed details on the framework of implementing the Geneva trade talks consensus. It said China will approve export applications of controlled items in accordance with the law. It did not mention rare earths. While the agreement shows potential progress following months of trade uncertainty and disruption since Trump took office in January, it also underscores the long road ahead to a final, definitive trade deal between the two economic rivals. China has been taking its dual-use restrictions on rare earths "very seriously" and has been vetting buyers to ensure that materials are not diverted to US military uses, according to an industry source. This has slowed down the licensing process. The Geneva deal had faltered over China's curbs on critical minerals exports, prompting the Trump administration to respond with export controls of its own preventing shipments of semiconductor design software, aircraft and other goods to China. In early June, Reuters reported China had granted temporary export licences to rare-earth suppliers of the top three US automakers, according to two sources familiar with the matter, as supply chain disruptions began to surface from export curbs on those materials. Later in the month, Trump said there was a deal with China in which Beijing would supply magnets and rare earth minerals while the US would allow Chinese students in its colleges and universities. The United States has reached an agreement with China on how to expedite rare earth shipments to the US, a White House official said, amid efforts to end a trade war between the world's biggest economies. President Donald Trump earlier said the United States had signed a deal with China on Wednesday, without providing additional details, and that there might be a separate deal coming up that would "open up" India. During US-China trade talks in May in Geneva, Beijing committed to removing non-tariff countermeasures imposed against the United States since April 2, although it was unclear how some of those measures would be walked back. As part of its retaliation against new US tariffs, China suspended exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets, upending the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world. "The administration and China agreed to an additional understanding for a framework to implement the Geneva agreement," a White House official said on Thursday. The understanding is "about how we can implement expediting rare earths shipments to the US again", the official said. A separate administration official said the US-China agreement took place earlier this week. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was quoted as saying by Bloomberg: "They're going to deliver rare earths to us" and once they do that "we'll take down our countermeasures." On Friday, China's commerce ministry said the two countries recently confirmed details on the framework of implementing the Geneva trade talks consensus. It said China will approve export applications of controlled items in accordance with the law. It did not mention rare earths. While the agreement shows potential progress following months of trade uncertainty and disruption since Trump took office in January, it also underscores the long road ahead to a final, definitive trade deal between the two economic rivals. China has been taking its dual-use restrictions on rare earths "very seriously" and has been vetting buyers to ensure that materials are not diverted to US military uses, according to an industry source. This has slowed down the licensing process. The Geneva deal had faltered over China's curbs on critical minerals exports, prompting the Trump administration to respond with export controls of its own preventing shipments of semiconductor design software, aircraft and other goods to China. In early June, Reuters reported China had granted temporary export licences to rare-earth suppliers of the top three US automakers, according to two sources familiar with the matter, as supply chain disruptions began to surface from export curbs on those materials. Later in the month, Trump said there was a deal with China in which Beijing would supply magnets and rare earth minerals while the US would allow Chinese students in its colleges and universities.
The Age
7 hours ago
- The Age
Chalmers hits China-linked companies with landmark lawsuit over crucial military minerals
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has launched an unprecedented lawsuit against China-linked interests to force them to sell their stake in an Australian rare earths miner, whose products are crucial to warplanes, missiles and submarines. The lawsuit, filed in the Federal Court on Thursday against foreign investors in Northern Minerals, is also seeking financial penalties for allegedly refusing to obey Chalmers' direction to sell out of the company last year. The Australian-listed company is developing the Browns Range heavy rare earths project in remote northern Western Australia, which could be one of the first non-Chinese sources of the minerals used in military guidance systems, wind turbines and electric vehicles. Chalmers' court action against an entity called Indian Ocean International Shipping and Service Company Ltd and a former associate follows his order last year for five Chinese-linked groups to sell their shares in Northern Minerals to unconnected buyers by September. 'Foreign investors in Australia are required to follow Australian law,' Chalmers said in a statement. 'We are doing what is necessary to protect the national interest and the integrity of our foreign investment framework.' China's control of rare earths and critical products is an escalating cause of concern to the United States and countries like Australia, after Donald Trump's trade war prompted Beijing to restrict shipments of the materials. It has made similar moves before, including against Japan in 2010 during a territorial dispute. China controls nearly all of the world's heavy rare earth production and Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior fellow Ian Satchwell said the global superpower's interests were seeking to exert influence over Northern Minerals. 'Australia, with like-minded partner nations, is seeking to build alternative supply chains for rare earths and other critical minerals, and the Northern Minerals shenanigans are a very obvious example of China-linked bad faith investing to allegedly seek to disrupt those efforts,' Satchwell said. 'In Australia's case those rare earths are used for things such as F35 fighters, missiles attached to them and in the future, nuclear-powered submarines.'
