This year, vehicles from China became the third most popular choice for new car sales in Australia, knocking South Korea — the home of Kia and Hyundai — down to fourth place, and rapidly gaining ground on manufacturing leaders Thailand and Japan.

President Ursula von der Leyen said global markets were being "flooded with cheaper electric cars" with prices "kept artificially low by huge state subsidies".

The Chinese government has spent decades trying to help its flagging auto industry catch up to the giants of Europe, Asia and the US, and while it failed in the era of petrochemical propulsion, it found success in the age of the electric vehicle.

Growing consumer awareness, cost competitiveness, technological advances and a cut in tariffs thanks to the Australia-China Free Trade Agreement are all helping to drive sales of Chinese vehicles in Australia.

A spokesperson from Australia's Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) said increased competition and the availability of Chinese-produced vehicles had "enhanced consumer choice, allowing Australians to purchase cars that best fit their work, recreation, and family".

Professor Zhang said despite claims China was "flooding the market" with EVs, the global vehicle fleet was still dominated by internal combustion engines and consumers would ultimately "choose products that suit their needs".

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