Chery Automobile is the latest Chinese automaker to prepare to enter the German market. According to a report in Wirtschaftswoche, the company is betting on three brands and a broad powertrain mix. Chery is already present in Spain, Mexico, Israel, Turkey, Kuwait, Australia and New Zealand. Now it will bring its brands Omoda, Jaecoo and Exlantix to Germany.
In spring 2024, the compact crossover Omoda 5 will be launched in Germany, initially as a combustion engine and later as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) variant with a WLTP range of 450 kilometers. A plug-in hybrid is also possible.
Jaecoo will offer Land Rover-style SUVs, specifically the compact Jaecoo 7 SUV and the larger Jaecoo 8. There is no information about the powertrains yet. According to the report, the Jaecoo 7 will be similar in size to the Omoda 5, but less futuristic in design - and more reminiscent of a Range Rover Evoque.
The pure EV brand Exlantix will later enter the European market with its E0Y SUV and E03 sedan. Both cars are about 4.9 meters long and have a 64 kWh battery with a range of 430 kilometers, or an 82 kWh option for more than 500 kilometers on a single charge. However, there is already talk of a new version with a CATL battery with a range of more than 700 kilometers. Chery unveiled the two models a few months ago, but at that time they were still marketed under the sub-brand 'Exeed'. They will be launched on the Chinese market in October.
If the German launch is a success, Chery could build its cars here in the future. Negotiations with local manufacturers about production facilities are reportedly already underway.
Chery has repeatedly visited Germany in the past. Since 2011, the manufacturer has regularly exhibited its vehicles at the IAA - back then in Frankfurt. At that time, there were no ambitions to launch the vehicles in Germany - something that is apparently changing now.
Source: Wirtschaftswoche