A little-known Chinese car maker specialising in big and boxy SUVs – available with a toilet in the centre console – has confirmed an intention to sell its vehicles in Australia.
Rox Motor, formerly known as Polestones in its home of China, has revealed plans to launch in Australia in 2027, pending any delays, with large SUVs that would rival a Zeekr 9X or Denza B8.
“Australia is a strategically important market” for the company – which also operates in the Middle East and China, according to a marketing agency that revealed the launch plans in an email to Drive.
Details of pricing, the model range, dealer network, and warranty are not due to be confirmed until closer to launch.
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Rox is said to be eyeing a brand launch at the end of 2026 or early 2027, but cars may not be in dealers and on the road until closer to the middle of next year.
The Chinese SUV brand will join the circa-65 car makers already operating in Australia, and another 15 confirmed or highly likely to arrive within the next 18 months.
Of the combined total of about 80 marques, 37 – or nearly half – will be Chinese, a significant number of which will field a full-size, 4WD-inspired hybrid SUV similar in concept to Rox’s offerings.
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Among the newest independent car brands to come out of China, founded in 2021, Rox sells the Adamas SUV, which uses range-extender (REEV) hybrid tech that uses the petrol engine only to charge the battery.
It is the size of a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, and styled like a Land Rover Defender, but uses car-derived ‘monocoque’ underpinnings akin to the latter, not a hardcore ladder-frame chassis.
Available with six or seven seats, it offers features from massaging seats and a glass roof to a space in the centre console that is intended to be used as a toilet in an emergency.
It is designed for a specific plastic bag with deodorising gel, according to Chinese media.
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Rox vehicles will be pitched against a slew of upcoming large hybrids from China – many from brands few Australians will have heard of – from the Zeekr 8X and 9X to the Freelander 8, Denza N9, and Aito 9.
In China, the Rox Adamas is priced from 349,900 yuan (AUD$74,600) – about 15 per cent more than a top-of-the-range Denza B5 4WD, which costs 305,800 yuan in China and $79,900 plus on-road costs in Australia.
It points to a circa-$90,000 to $100,000 price locally.
Powering flagship versions of the Adamas are two electric motors developing 350kW and 740Nm combined.
They are fed by a 44.5kWh battery pack and a 110kW 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine used to generate electricity, rather than drive the wheels.
Rox claims up to 180km of electric-only driving range, and 1171km in hybrid mode, according to lab testing.
More conventional – and odourless – features include adaptive air suspension, two large interior displays, leather-look seats, and a LiDAR sensor for its semi-autonomous driving software.
The post Rox Motor SUVs from China coming to Australia appeared first on Drive.
