√Chinese brand Chery ready to relaunch in Australia with three SUVs this year, electric cars next year

The largest exporter of Chinese cars is about to relaunch in Australia with three SUVs this year, ahead of a range of electric vehicles.

The growth in sales of Chinese cars in Australia is about to hit top gear.

Chinese brand Chery – which is the largest Chinese exporter of cars – is about to relaunch in Australia after leaving the local market eight years ago with an old model line-up, poor safety ratings and lacklustre sales.

Chery says it waited until it developed a range of all-new models with five-star safety and advanced technology before returning to Australia, one of the most competitive automotive markets in the world.

Five years ago, new cars from China accounted for 1 per cent of the Australian market. Last year they accounted for 11 per cent of all new motor vehicles sold locally – behind Japan, Thailand and South Korea.

While fellow Chinese car makers have posted phenomenal growth in Australia – MG ranked seventh last year and Great Wall Motors (GWM) Haval ranked ninth in December 2022 – local executives for Chery say they are aiming for sustainable growth.

“We want to be here for the long haul,” said Andy Zhang, Chery Australia managing director, who told Drive the first arrival – the Omoda 5 small SUV – is due in local showrooms in March 2023 ahead of two other models later this year, pending any delays.

While Chery Australia is yet to announce pricing and details for its upcoming models, Mr Zhang told Drive the company planned to roll out a network of approximately 60 showrooms and launch with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty – which would match Chinese rivals MG and GWM Haval and South Korean brands Kia and SsangYong.

“Warranty is very important in Australia … it gives customers confidence,” said Mr Zhang, who has been with Chery for three years after more than a decade with GWM Haval.

The Chery Australia boss also said the company plans to launch with a range of five-star safety-rated cars. “In the future our aim is for every Chery car to have five-star safety,” said Mr Zhang.

The Chery Omoda 5 SUV – the first car Chery will launch locally – earned a five-star safety score from European NCAP authorities. The result for right-hand-drive variants is yet to be ratified by Australasian NCAP.

Other SUVs due this year or next include the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro, ahead of a rollout of electric variants next year, pending any delays.

The marketing director for Chery Australia – former Toyota and Lexus executive James Curtis – said Australia was part of the company’s plan to expand globally.

“Australia is so important to Chery because it’s a sophisticated market with discerning customers and a lot of competition,” said Mr Curtis.

“There are more car brands competing (for fewer sales) here than in Europe or the US. If you can make it in Australia that sets you up for expansion into other international markets.”

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