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Chery is currently entering what is still the world’s most competitive car market, as Europe now looks ready for vehicles from China. After their first trial attempt in Spain, they want to make a serious start, especially in Germany. Chery believes that anyone who gets there is equipped to conquer the entire automotive world.
Unlike many Chinese companies, Chery will go on sale in Germany with three different brands starting from spring 2024. Omoda, Jaecoo and Exlantix; Artificial names that should sound good even though they don’t mean much to local customers.
Three brands at the same time; Isn’t there a risk of cannibalism? Chery Deputy General Manager Charlie Zhang points out that the three brands are positioned differently in terms of both design and technology. Chery is collaborating with Huawei, battery giant CATL, and well-known suppliers such as Bosch and Magna to develop the vehicles. However, out of fear of becoming over-reliant, Chery continues to develop batteries, controllers and electric motors in-house.
Premium brand Exlantix
Exlantix is a premium all-electric brand. The new 4.90 meter long SUV EOY and the same length EO3 sedan will be launched in China next month – both models will arrive in Europe in 2024. “The all-electric EOX platform is strategically important for us,” explains Charlie Zhang. Two battery sizes (64 and 82 kWh for range over 430 and 500 km) are initially available. But the next stage of evolution is planned – Chery, together with CATL, is working on batteries with an energy density of six kilowatt hours per kilogram – which will then allow a range of more than 700 kilometers.
Thanks to 800 volt technology, a range of 200 kilometers can be charged in 10 minutes, and the battery can be charged to 80 percent in 20 minutes. Exlantix electrics don’t skimp on performance. Thanks to a dual-vector electric motor with an output of 544 to 680 hp (400 to 500 kW), they should accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than four seconds. However, thanks to advanced aerodynamics, average consumption should be only 12 kWh/100 km.
Jaecoo in Land Rover style
So what do the other two Chery brands coming to Europe offer? “Omoda are transitions from future to future,” answers Charlie Zhang. “Jaecoo, on the other hand, are classic SUVs in the Land Rover style,” he explains, smiling when talking about the joint venture with the British off-road vehicle maker. No wonder the 4.40 meter long Jaecoo 7 reminds us of the Land Rover Evoque. The larger Jaecoo 8 is modeled after the Range Rover. If the quality and price are suitable, both vehicles have a chance in Germany.
They have to too. Because Chery’s goals are ambitious. The Chinese want to sell 1.4 million vehicles worldwide every year from the Omoda and Jaecoo brands by 2030. “We’re on our way,” says Charlie Zhang, presenting a curve with registration numbers pointing steeply upwards. Competing against the BYD Atto 3 and Cupra Ateca, the 4.40-meter-long compact crossover Omoda 5 will be available in Germany from spring 2024. The Chinese have already set their sights on the Spanish brand. “We want to persuade people with their emotions and a fair price,” says Zhang.
These should not remain the only arguments. Buyers in Europe should also be offered the option of free driving. The Omoda 5 initially starts with a petrol engine and only later becomes fully electric with a WLTP range of 450 kilometres. Zhang says a plug-in hybrid with an electric range of up to 200 kilometers is also conceivable. In China, such part-time electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, causing pure gasoline engines to be withdrawn from the market.
Plug-in hybrids instead of combustion engines
“Volkswagen was very strong in China,” he says with a smile. For years, VW has sold internal combustion engine SUVs and sedans for between 100,000 and 150,000 yuan. We offer plug-in hybrids for the same price. “People know this is a better technology with less consumption.” And Chery wants to offer in Europe what is demanded in China. That’s why a wide-screen infotainment system is available on all models. Monitors that are classically flat but also curved; Its arrangement bears a striking resemblance to Mercedes’ Hyperscreen.
The European auto world doesn’t seem to have impressed Chery’s manager Zhang. If the landing in Germany is successful, Chinese cars will also be produced in Germany in the future. Discussions with local manufacturers regarding production facilities are already underway, and Zhang has already inspected several factories. “But they’re all too old” is his devastating verdict. At the same time, the confident Chery man talks about a new factory in China with a 95 percent automation level. The next generation of Chery sub-brand models should be even more impressive and also have Level 4 autonomous driving capability. But first at home.
Source: Blick
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
