Chinese brand Skyworth decides to pause its launch in Australia.
While one Chinese brand after another announces imminent Australian launch plans little-known Skyworth has hit the pause button.
Originally due to launch the BE11 medium electric SUV as far back as late 2024, local distributor EV Automotive has now opted to shift the launch of the brand and the vehicle to the first half of 2026.
That’s when a BE11 facelift will become available from the factory in China with key technical updates.
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These include an uprated 800V electric architecture and a boost in safety features designed to provide five star ANCAP capability.
The current BE11, examples of which have been on display in Australia for some months, has a slow 84kW DC fast charging rate and scored only one star in Chinese C-NCAP testing back in 2023.
“We’re pausing the launch of the BE11 due to a facelift and technology update,” confirmed EV Automotive CEO Jack Puzin.
“We are ensuring that the vehicle we bring to market is competitive and adheres to the principles we set out when we first announced the BE11 was coming to Australia.”
That means the Tesla Model Y rival will still come in two highly-specified models badged Comfort and Luxury and be priced staring below $50,000.
While they will be differentiated by equipment, they will be identical mechanically. Both will get a 150kW front-wheel drive e-motor and 86kWh NMC battery pack with a 489km range rated on WLTP protocols.
The BE11 measures up at 4698mm long, 1908mm wide, 1696mm tall and has a 2800mm wheelbase. By comparison the Model Y is 4792mm long, 2129,mm wide, 1624mm tall and has a 2890mm wheelbase.
The BE11 has been subject to local ADAS testing to ensure driver assist systems are not overly intrusive – a common criticism of Chinese vehicles.
It will be sold via the orthodox franchised dealer model with 12 outlets expected at launch. A previous pan to sell via agency with mycar providing servicing has been dropped.
If you’re reading all this going ‘who the hell is Skyworth?’ you’re probably not alone.
The Chinese multi-national is primarily known as an audio-visual and electronics manufacturer.
It has a commercial van division called Skywell and EV Automotive has been selling its EC11 van and bus here for about five years.
The newer passenger car division has adopted the Skyworth name, hence it’s the badge the BE11 picks up.
The company’s global boss Huang Hongsheng is an interesting bloke, to say the least!
In this CarNewsChina story he extols the health benefits of driving the BE11, claiming it cured his diabetes and high blood pressure!
The article notes Huang – who also known as Stephen Wong – has made these claims on more than one occasion.
EV Automotive had originally intended to launch the BE11 in Australia under the local EVA 5 badge. Around the globe it is also known as the EV6, Elaris Beo, Imperium SRV, Fregata Ariel 8 and both Skyworth and Nebka ET5.
The upgrade will also be known as BE12 in some markets, but Australia is sticking with BE11.
EV Automotive is also about to launch the (unrelated to Skyworth) Victory small van and light truck range in Australia.
The next-generation Skywell S233 large commercial van is also on the agenda.
On the Skyworth side it want to follow up the BE11 with a small electric hatchback simply dubbed Q.
