Chery J1 Is the Cheapest Car to Buy in Australia

With a price tag of just $10,990 (EUR8,120 or US$12,010), the Chery J1 is, at this moment, the cheapest new car you can buy on the Australian market, according to Car Advice.

Dinesh Chinnappa, General Manager of Chery Automotive Australia, explains that this price is possible due to the strength of the Australian Dollar.

“The Australian dollar is running at levels not seen since 1983, the year Australia won the America’s Cup,” Chinnappa said.

“We have decided to pass on the benefit of the strong Australian dollar to the Australian car buying public,” he added.

The five-door hatchback is offered for the price of $11,990 (EUR8,860 or US$13,100), but until May 31 you can purchase it for $1,000 (EUR740 or US$1,100) less, due to a cash back offer.

The J1 comes with a 1.3-litre gasoline engine with 83 hp (62 kW) and a maximum torque level of 90 lb-ft (122 Nm), while its combined fuel consumption sits at 35 mpg (6.7 liters/100 km). The small car comes equipped with standard features such as air-conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, six-speaker CD player and alloy wheels.

The Chery incorporates a couple of safety features as well, like front seatbelt pretensioners, ABS, EBD and dual front airbags. Sadly, the J1 does not come with extra airbags and electronic stability control as optionals, but it is offered with a three-year or 62,140 miles (100,000 km) warranty.

Across Australia, the automaker has a wide dealership network that comprises 45 showrooms, which managed in March, the first month of sales for Chery in Australia, to sell a total of 219 units, of which 51 J1s and 166 J11s.

“The massive recent expansion of the Chinese auto industry will have increasing benefits for Australian consumers in coming years via a greater variety of vehicles on sale with low prices and high levels of standard equipment that represent unbeatable value for money,” Chinnappa concluded.