Chery's Australian website launches, ute and EV expected

UPDATE, July 19: Chery's Australian website goes live

Chinese carmaker Chery has set its Australian website live, bringing it closer to returning to local shores.

Though the manufacturer now has a visible presence in the country, the website contains little information about its intentions, focusing only on the Omoda 5 EV tipped to be the first model to come here when the brand launches locally later this year.

A 'coming soon' page goes nowhere, though it is expected the carmaker will bring in a ute next year, followed by a pair of SUVs in 2024.

Read our original story below for more on the brand's plans coming up.

The story to here

April 24: Chery planning Australian comeback

The 2023 Chery Omoda 5 is set to kick off the Chinese brand's return to Australia in October 2022, with a seven-year warranty and 10-year engine warranty to accompany the new model.

An internal company document obtained by Wheels shows Chery will return to Australia in the fourth quarter as a wholly-owned subsidiary, rather than being managed by importer Ateco Automotive, as was the case in previous years.

The document shows Chery is planning to launch a dual-cab ute in the third quarter of 2023, codenamed ‘J Series’, before adding the Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 7 Pro SUVs to its line-up in 2024.

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The company is hoping to reposition itself from an ‘entry-level’ brand to a ‘value’ brand in order to compete alongside the likes of Kia and Skoda, with the aim of reaching 30,000 total sales by 2024 – a goal that would put it ahead of Mercedes-Benz and BMW, in terms of annual sales.

While it might sound ambitious, it’s worth noting MG – which is now owned and operated by the Chinese state-owned corporation SAIC – has seen local sales increase from 15,000 vehicles in 2020 to more than 39,000 in 2021, making it a top-ten manufacturer.

The second phase of Chery’s Australian plan is to reach 45,000 sales by 2026, with the eventual goal to be selling 75,000 cars beyond 2026, placing it in third spot behind Toyota and Mazda and ahead of Hyundai based on 2021’s results.

The carmaker aims to do this by “establishing a responsible brand image of Chery” which is fun to drive, according to its business strategy, with technology, fashion, and a “futuristic driving experience” at its core.

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The five-seater 2023 Chery Omoda 5 will be offered with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, or a 1.6-litre turbo mated to a CVT automatic.

The seven-seater 2024 Tiggo 8 will be available with either a 1.6-litre turbo or 2.0-litre turbo engines, while the 2024 Tiggo 7 Pro will be exclusively offered with the 1.6-litre turbo.

Both models will be fitted with Chery’s seven-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission, but power figures aren't locked in.

There’s also little information on the company’s J-Series ute at this stage, but it’s likely the model will be offered with the company’s 2.0-litre turbo engine and seven-speed dual-clutch auto, likely with all-wheel drive.

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All vehicles will come with a seven-year/200,000km vehicle warranty, together with a 10-year/100,000km engine warranty. A call centre will also be established to offer roadside assistance, 24 hours a day.

Chery is aiming to establish dealerships in close proximity to its main competitors, which it names as being Hyundai, GWM, MG, and Toyota, with computer-generated renderings previewing the design of its Australian showrooms – though curiously, the renderings use a Hyundai Santa Fe with a Chery badge.

Expect to hear more from Chery as it edges towards its Australian launch in October 2022.