Chinese SUV manufacturer Rox Motor is preparing to enter the Australian market, with a launch targeted for late 2026 or early 2027.

The company specialises in large SUVs with electric propulsion and petrol-powered range extenders. Its Australian model line-up, distribution arrangements, servicing network and pricing remain unconfirmed.

Representatives involved in Rox Motor's international marketing have begun contacting Australian automotive media about the planned launch, identifying late 2026 or early 2027 as the target period. The company has previously indicated an interest in entering Australia and filed more than a dozen Australian trademark applications covering names including Rox, Adamas and Pole Stone. However, no firm launch date, distributor or local sales arrangements have been publicly confirmed, and its intended market positioning remains uncertain.

Rox Motor's current range comprises the Rox 01 and the newer Adamas, both large six- or seven-seat SUVs with upright styling designed for passenger transport and outdoor touring. Their specifications indicate which products the manufacturer could consider for Australia, although the local line-up remains unconfirmed.

Both models use range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) powertrains, in which electric motors drive the wheels while a petrol engine generates electricity to supplement the battery. Dual electric motors produce a combined 350 kW and 740 Nm, providing all-wheel drive and a claimed 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.5 seconds.

A turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine serves as the range extender, while a 56.01 kWh battery provides a claimed electric-only driving range of up to 235 km under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC).

The Adamas has a claimed combined petrol-electric driving range of up to 1,226 km, compared with 1,115 km for the Rox 01. Both figures are based on laboratory testing rather than real-world driving conditions.

Measuring 5,298mm long, 1,985mm wide and 1,856mm tall, the Adamas has a wheelbase of 3,010mm. It is longer than the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and falls within the same broad vehicle category as the Land Rover Defender 130. Its adjustable air suspension provides a claimed ground clearance of up to 272mm and a water-wading capability of 770mm in the raised off-road setting.

Equipment available in international markets includes six-seat configurations with individual second-row seats, an optional camping-oriented tailgate kitchen system, a 270-degree awning and a combined vehicle-to-load (V2L) power output of up to 5.7 kW. The Rox 01 has also been offered with a portable toilet designed to be carried inside the vehicle for outdoor touring and camping.

If introduced in Australia, the Rox 01 and Adamas could compete with the Land Rover Defender, Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Lexus LX. Their electric driving capability, available equipment and off-road-oriented styling would place them in the large SUV segment, although their market positioning would depend on local specifications and pricing.

Rox Motor's potential entry would add another Chinese manufacturer offering range-extender technology as an alternative to conventional battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Although REEVs provide electric-only driving before the petrol engine generates additional electricity, they continue to rely on petrol for extended journeys and are generally classified as plug-in hybrid vehicles rather than pure battery-electric vehicles.

With a target launch period identified but key commercial arrangements yet to be announced, Rox Motor's Australian entry remains at the planning stage. Confirmation of its model range, distribution and servicing partners, local specifications and pricing will clarify the details of its planned operations in the country.