Photo: Chery
With the exception of owning and controlling Volvo Cars, the Chinese haven’t made a name for themselves in Europe as far as the automotive industry is concerned. Qoros, for example, failed miserably at offering a cheap alternative to the Volkswagen Golf. But as far as Chery is concerned, the Wuhu-based automaker is serious about Europe.
So serious in fact, Chery has created a new brand and a new SUV to take on the Old Continent. The brand’s name will be revealed on September 12 at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, but the design of the compact-sized utility vehicle is no longer a mystery thanks to a series of sketches and teaser photos.
“The world premiere of our new compact SUV marks the start of our approach to European sales with a new model line,” declared Ray Bierzynski, executive vice president of Chery’s R&D center in Shanghai. “Launching within a few years, all models in the lineup will feature characteristic styling, user-focused technology, electrified powertrains, and advanced safety features,” he added.
Augmented by the latest evolution of the automaker’s Life In Motion design language, the yet-unnamed model doesn’t look half bad. The front fascia looks thoroughly modern thanks to full-LED headlights and a light bar that stretches from both headlight clusters to the grille’s center, right up to the Chery badge.
The profile and rear, meanwhile, are awash with bold visual details, a mélange of Nissan Qashqai- and Range Rover Evoque-inspired styling. Most impressively, however, the dashboard design is as clear-cut as one would expect from a European vehicle. All in all, Chery is surely entitled to be smug.
To streamline its European operations, Chery is committed to open a European research & development and design facility. And by “electrification efforts,” the company refers to conventional and plug-in hybrids, as well as battery-powered electric vehicles.
At the present moment, Chery is capable of manufacturing over 1 million automobiles per year at full capacity. Sales-wise, the state-owned automaker has exported 100,000 out of 700,000 vehicles produced in 2016.
“The world premiere of our new compact SUV marks the start of our approach to European sales with a new model line,” declared Ray Bierzynski, executive vice president of Chery’s R&D center in Shanghai. “Launching within a few years, all models in the lineup will feature characteristic styling, user-focused technology, electrified powertrains, and advanced safety features,” he added.
Augmented by the latest evolution of the automaker’s Life In Motion design language, the yet-unnamed model doesn’t look half bad. The front fascia looks thoroughly modern thanks to full-LED headlights and a light bar that stretches from both headlight clusters to the grille’s center, right up to the Chery badge.
The profile and rear, meanwhile, are awash with bold visual details, a mélange of Nissan Qashqai- and Range Rover Evoque-inspired styling. Most impressively, however, the dashboard design is as clear-cut as one would expect from a European vehicle. All in all, Chery is surely entitled to be smug.
To streamline its European operations, Chery is committed to open a European research & development and design facility. And by “electrification efforts,” the company refers to conventional and plug-in hybrids, as well as battery-powered electric vehicles.
At the present moment, Chery is capable of manufacturing over 1 million automobiles per year at full capacity. Sales-wise, the state-owned automaker has exported 100,000 out of 700,000 vehicles produced in 2016.
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