Melbourne Motor Show returns after a 14-year hiatus

The Melbourne Motor Show is back for the first time in 14 years and is under new management. Over 20 vehicle manufacturers are participating in the event which is taking place this weekend (April 5 and April 6).

Along with stalwarts like Kia, Porsche, Tesla, MG, GWM, and Subaru there are several brands new to Australasian markets. These include Deepal, Farizon, Foton, Geely, JAC, Leapmotor, Smart, Xpeng, and Zeekr.

MG is revealing a number of new models at the show. Included is the global reveal of the 2025 MG QS seven-seater SUV. This is a less expensive rival to the likes of Highlander, Palisade and CX-80. It is launching initially in turbopetrol form, with a plug-in hybrid due further down the line.

MG will also show off its S5 electric SUV, the HS Hybrid+ family SUV, and the Cyberster electric roadster. 

Expect also the new ‘IM Presented by MG Motor’ luxury sub-brand, with its IM5 and IM6 electric cars.

Meantime, Kia will be showing its Tasman ute to the public for the first time ahead of its July 2025 launch. Also on the stand are the EV3 small electric SUV, the mid-size EV5, and a mystery vehicle, perhaps the one below?

From Isuzu, the D-Max ute and recently-facelifted MU-X off-road SUV will be shown. The Australian-developed D-Max Blade will also be in attendance. It has been developed by Walkinshaw Automotive to be one of the most capable off-road vehicles you can buy from the showroom. Expect also the D-Max X-Terrain and the new MU-X X-Terrain on the Isuzu ute stand.

Tesla’s archrival, BYD, will have its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute and Sealion 7 electric SUV on display. 

Compatriot GWM has confirmed its display vehicles will include the Cannon Alpha PHEV, Haval H6 GT PHEV and Tank 300 diesel.

Leapmotor will show off its recently introduced Leapmotor C10 REEV range-extender hybrid and C10 EV while Geely will be bringing its EX5. On the McLaren stand is the Artura Spider.

Inchcape Australia will debut its new Subaru Forester to the Melbourne show, along with the WRX tS Spec B manual sedan. Also from Inchcape are the Peugeot 3008 mild hybrid SUV and Deepal’s electric S07 family EV.

The facelifted Tesla Model Y will appear in Melbourne following its recent Australian debut at the Everything Electric show in Sydney.

It will sit alongside a left-hand drive example of Tesla’s issue-ridden Cybertruck. This is still not yet confirmed for Australian sale. Tesla will also have its Optimus robot on show; it is expected on sale sometime next year…for roughly the price of a car. Still, stripped threads should be a thing of the past with this thing around.

Others attending (or possibly coming) include Deepal, Farizon, Foton, JAC, Mahindra, Smart, XPeng and Zeekr. The XPeng X2 flying car may also make an appearance.

Almost 100 aftermarket exhibitors will also be present at the show. Included are Hot Wheels, Lego, and Red Bull, amongst others.

A full list of exhibitors is available at the 2025 Melbourne Motor Show website.

General admission tickets cost $A35 for adults.

Confirmed brands/models

Brabus 800 Somo based on Mercedes-AMG G63

BYD Sealion 7 EV, Shark 6 PHEV ute

Deepal S07 EV

Farizon SuperVan EV, Light Truck H9E EV

Geely EX5 EV

GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV ute, Haval H6 GT PHEV, Tank 300 diesel

IM Presented by MG Motor IM5 electric sedan, IM6 electric SUV

Isuzu D-Max Blade and X-Terrain, MU-X X-Terrain (facelifted model)

JAC De-Fine concept car, T9 diesel ute, T9 EV ute

Kia EV3, EV5, Tasman ute

Leapmotor C10 REEV range-extender hybrid and C10 EV

Mahindra Scorpio seven-seater, XUV 3XO, XUV700

McLaren Artura Spider

MG QS seven-seater, Cyberster, HS Hybrid+, MG S5 EV

Peugeot 2008 mild-hybrid, 308 mild-hybrid, 3008 mild-hybrid, 408 mild-hybrid, E-Expert electric van

Subaru Forester petrol and ‘strong hybrid’, Solterra EV, WRX tS Spec B manual

Tesla Cybertruck (left-hand drive), Model Y facelift

XPeng G6 EV, G9 EV, Mona M03 EV

Zeekr 7X EV, Mix EV