Another Chinese carmaker confirms plans to take on NZ

Aug 01, 2023

As Chinese carmakers like MG, BYD, and Great Wall Motor (GWM) continue to grow in New Zealand, another player has announced its plans to enter the game – Chery.

Speaking to Stuff, Chery New Zealand country manager Sheldon Humphries confirmed that the brand plans to open 10 dealership sites around the country in the short term. This will enable the launch of a range of internal combustion engine petrol, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric models.

“Things are progressing nicely. We have confirmed our first 10 dealers for New Zealand, and we are very excited to partner with them on this venture,” said Humphries.

“Other existing Chinese brands have done a great job over the past few years in lifting consumer confidence towards Chinese Automotive manufacturers. [We] intend on bringing in high-quality products that will contribute to this consumer confidence.”

If the Chery name sounds familiar to you, that’s perhaps because it isn’t the first time that it has tried to crack the New Zealand market.

Chery had a brief official presence Down Under in the previous decade. It launched in New Zealand in 2011 with its J1 and J3 hatchback pairing, as well as its J11 crossover. Whilst there were some successes, and the J3 was a surprisingly popular seller, the brand faded away from our market – failing to last a decade.

Humphries would not go into specifics on which Chery models are destined for launch in New Zealand, other than to say that Chery has a “comprehensive and exciting Omoda and Jaecoo range planned for New Zealand”, adding that “electrification is certainly part of our planning”.

The Omoda 5 appears to be the most likely starter model for Chery’s New Zealand line-up. It shapes up as a rival for the likes of the Toyota C-HR, Subaru Crosstrek, and Kia Seltos. It’s offered in Australia with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 108kW/210Nm and paired to a CVT. A more peppy 1.6-litre turbo is on the way, bringing 145kW/290Nm.

Standard kit includes dual 10.25-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay, dual wireless phone charging, and Sony audio. I can fit up to 360L in the boot, growing to 1075L if you lower the back seats.

The Omoda 5 line-up will most likely grow in 2024 to include a new fully electric option. Unveiled overseas recently and inevitably badged as the Omoda EV, it gets bespoke grille-free styling paired to a more plush-looking interior space.

Under the skin it’s powered by a 150kW/340Nm single-motor powertrain, and a 61kWh battery capable of travelling up to 450km to a charge on the WLTP cycle. The Omoda EV’s features will likely echo those of its petrol cousin, although it does throw in vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality.

Jaecoo, meanwhile, is the moniker applied to a relatively young premium-edged sub-brand Chery offers in other markets. It has two core models, the J7 and the J9. Both get more squared off, mature styling, and the option of either internal combustion four-cylinder or plug-in hybrid powertrains in other markets.

Chery’s New Zealand range could also include the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 – a pair of SUVs that have already been confirmed for our neighbours in Australia. Both target the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5, and are available in pure petrol (Pro) and plug-in hybrid (Pro e+) grades.

Pure petrol models are set to be powered by a 145kW/290Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, while plug-in hybrids get a 240kW/545Nm front-wheel drive powertrain and a 19.27kWh battery (it, too, comes with V2L in overseas markets).

As Chery prepares for its formal debut, it is still on the hunt for personnel, including a branding manager, parts manager, public relations manager, and service manager. Each of these positions will be based at its new headquarters in the Auckland CBD.