China

The first significant batch of Chinese-built Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles has arrived in Australia, according to the online ship-tracker VedaPrime. While Tesla is yet to confirm the shipment, the well-informed VedaPrime reports approximately 800 examples of the all-electric sedan were dispatched to a storage facility in Wollongong’s Port Kembla on Sunday, direct from the recently completed Shanghai giga-factory.

Tesla has reportedly challenged a recall for almost 30,000 American-made Model X and Model S cars imported into China, disputing claims there is an issue with the vehicles' suspension and instead blaming the problem on "driver abuse". The recall, lodged with China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) by Tesla Motor's Beijing arm, apparently affects Model X and S cars produced between September 17, 2013 and January 15, 2018, and imported into China.

Images of the new seven-seater Ford Equator have emerged online ahead of the model's release. The Chinese-market SUV cements the styling themes for JMC-Ford – the Blue Oval's joint venture in the country – which looks to be an evolution of the design language seen on other models from the company. The pictures were posted on the social media website Weibo, along with what appears to be internal Ford documents outlining the model's specifications.

The most expensive passenger car made in China is being redesigned. Carscoops has shared these renderings of the upcoming, second-generation L5, the flagship of China’s oldest car brand, Hongqi. Used as the official state car of China, the current Hongqi L5 was first introduced in 2014 and has a price tag north of A$1 million. Though primarily used for official duties, the L5 has been made available in small numbers to private buyers.

Lexus will unveil its first-ever electric vehicle in arguably the most important electric market in the world, China, on November 22. Set to debut at the Guangzhou motor show, it's believed the first Lexus EV will be based on an existing production model.