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As Chery sets its sights on global expansion, the brand is leveraging Australia’s demanding road conditions and picky customers as its testbed to make better vehicles.
Local executives have already confirmed Australian-inspired suspension updates are in the plans for mid-life model updates of its existing models, the Omoda 5 small SUV and Tiggo 7 Pro medium SUV, after they were subjected to safety tweaks using software.
Following the two combustion-powered vehicles, Chery has a melange of models available in other parts of the world – including intriguing luxury-oriented export brand Jaecoo, and affordable Arrizo models – to potentially follow the Tiggo and Omoda’s paths to Oz.
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It’s not exactly straightforward picking, so it makes sense that the official response from Chery about these other model lines is that the local team is “constantly evaluating overseas product for the Australian market as a matter of course for the business".
What do we reckon is on the way? Plenty more petrol, hybrid, and electric vehicles at affordable prices. Read on for more.
JUMP AHEAD
Omoda 5 EV
The MY24 Omoda 5 is on sale now in BX and EX trims, with turbo-petrol GT variants following shortly. The big news is an all-electric counterpart due in mid-2024.
A rival for the MG ZS electric, BYD Atto 3 and Hyundai Kona, Chery is yet to confirm pricing. Unlike BYD and Tesla, for example, Chery’s expansion doesn’t leave behind typical bricks-and-mortar dealers.
This means the electric Omoda 5 may be a little dearer than the Atto 3 when it comes to market – though to compete with the pricepoint MG ZS Electric it’ll need to get close to $45K for a base model.
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The sharply styled Omoda 5 EV packs a 61kWh battery pack for up to 450 kilometres of driving range in the combined WLTP cycle. Made in China, the Omoda 5 EV has a reasonable 110kW peak DC fast-charge speed for it to climb from 10-80 per cent in about 30 minutes.
While it sits on the same basic architecture as the Omoda 5, there are distinct styling differences including the front clip and LED lighting details, wheel designs, and interior features.
The Omoda 5 is the first of Chery’s ‘4.0’ product series and will be followed by other Omoda-branded models in the future.
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Tiggo 8 Pro
The Tiggo 8 Pro is the Tiggo 7 Pro large SUV sibling, and it's set for local release in April.
The seven-seat Tiggo 8 measures 222mm longer than the Tiggo 7 at 4.72 metres, with optional tan-coloured leather upholstery. Underneath, it uses the same ‘T1x’ platform as the Tigoo 7, but a more powerful 1.6-litre turbo–petrol engine teamed with AWD and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
In China, Chery offers the Tiggo 8 Pro in ‘E+’ plug-in hybrid guise, which boasts 100 kilometres of EV-only driving range, 1L/100km fuel consumption, and a 0-100km/h sprint in 7.0 seconds. There’s no word on if that is coming to Australia.
Like the Tiguan Allspace, the Tiggo 8 Pro is a stretched version of a medium SUV and, if prices start off in the low $50K region drive-away, it could provide a good value-oriented rival for the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.
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Arrizo range
Now we’re into speculation – and with Chery’s staggering broad offerings around the world, there’s a lot to look at.
The Arrizo 6 is a small sedan, a rival for the Hyundai i30 sedan, Toyota Corolla, and chiefly the MG 5. It’s sold in other markets including China and Thailand with its eyes set squarely on value with a sporty GT variant was introduced in 2023.
There's also the Arrizo 8, a larger take on the sedan from the Chinese brand powered by a gruntier 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder – the same due in the Omoda 5 GT later this year.
Its likelihood for Australia is low, though if the MG 5 proves successful locally following its zero-star ANCAP result, Chery may look to copy that success.
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The Chery Arrizo 6 sedan
Jaecoo J7 and J8
More likely for Oz are vehicles that fall under Chery’s Jaecoo export brand that is launching in Malaysia, the Middle East, South Africa, and – later this year – the United Kingdom.
There are a pair of models, the Mazda CX-5-sized Jaecoo J7 (known as the Chery Tansuo 06 or Explore 06 in China) and the Kia Sorento-sized Jaecoo J8 (otherwise known as the Chery Tiggo 9 in China… confused yet?)
With the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 Pro models launched in Australia already, the more futuristic-looking Jaecoo products would potentially cannibalise the brand’s local sales.
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This is the sharp-looking Jeacoo J7 bound for British and South African shores this year
That said, the medium-sized J7 is being produced in right-hand drive to suit the UK market, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain also in development.
Chery / Jaecoo Malaysia describes the J7 as “exceptional urban off-road SUV within the premium segment”, so perhaps it could co-exist as a fancier choice than the Tiggo 7 Pro? Its 600mm claimed wading depth is certainly respectable for a family-oriented SUV.
Would you like to see Chery bring the Jaecoo brand down under? Leave a comment below with your opinion.
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