Skyworth Electric Suvs On Pause In Australia Before They Even Arrived

Plans to sell electric SUVs in Australia from the relatively-unknown Skyworth brand – also known as Skywell – have been placed on hold amid tough competition from other Chinese upstarts.

The Skyworth BE11 was initially due in Australian showrooms by the end of 2025 as a Tesla Model Y-sized family SUV for less than $50,000 before on-road costs, through an independent importer known as EV Automotive.

It was delayed into 2026 to secure a facelifted model with upgraded 800-volt electronics, faster recharging, and improved safety technology, but the BE11 line is now on the backburner to focus on commercial vehicles.

MORE: 2025 Skyworth BE11 price and specs – new Skywell electric SUV brings sub-$50K price

EV Automotive CEO Jack Puzin told Drive the new-car market “moving at lightning speed” has made for “challenging decision making”.

“For now, we’re focusing on the commercial vehicle side of the business,” he said.

Pricing was announced for the Skyworth BE11 – renamed from initial badges of Skywell ET5 or EV Automotive EVA 5 – in March 2025, with the promise of deliveries by late 2025 through a network of at least four dealers.

There were subsequent plans for the Skyworth Q hatchback (below), but they have seemingly been paused alongside the SUV.

MORE: Skywell electric SUV coming to Australia as new cheaper Tesla Model Y rival

Skyworth has launched the 800-volt BE11 in the right-hand-drive Hong Kong market as the ‘Skyworth K’, aimed at the taxi industry.

The Chinese brand – owned by the Skywell electronics manufacturer based in BYD‘s home city of Shenzhen – has also struggled to find a foothold in the UK, where its independent importer suddenly shut its doors last month.

Just 127 cars were sold between its 2024 launch and the importer’s closure at the start of July. Autocar reports the Chinese brand is seeking a new distributor.

MORE: Another cheap Chinese EV could reach Australia with Smart #2

The Australian importer for the Skyworth brand has found its greatest success in Australia with electric vans, buses and compact utes under the Skywell and Victory brands, which it has sold for about five years.

Among them is the Skywell EC11, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter look-alike, which is available in van and bus forms.

The Skyworth brand still appears set to come to Australian showrooms as soon as this year with a new electric van, marketed overseas as the Skyworth 233 or Hongtu, which has received government approval for sale locally.

MORE: Chinese EV tariffs to be extended to plug-in hybrids by EU, patching loophole – report

It is similar in size to a Toyota HiAce, and is powered by a 150kW electric motor fed by a 101kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack.

Payloads range from 1695kg to 1913kg, and in the UK, it was due to be rated with up to 14 cubic metres of cargo capacity, 350km to 400km WLTP of driving range, and a 20 to 80 per cent fast charge in “less than” 50 minutes at up to 120kW DC.

It will compete with the Farizon SuperVan from Chinese car giant Geely, priced from $62,990 to $77,490 plus on-road costs, as well as established offerings such as the Ford E-Transit Custom ($77,890 to $80,290 plus on-roads).

The post Skyworth electric SUVs on pause in Australia before they even arrived appeared first on Drive.