Chery to Launch EVs in the US in 2011

It was only a matter of time until Chinese carmakers made the United States a priority in terms of sales and new cars distribution. So, here you are, the wait is over as Chery Automobile, regarded as the largest automaker and auto exporter in China, plans to bring its electric vehicles in Ford's domestic market by the end of 2011. And that's not all. Chery intends to launch in the United States not one, not two, but three electric cars.

The three models will be initially introduced for testing purposes together with the Cybernaut, People's Daily reported in its online edition. Depending on the feedback it receives, Chery will decide, after the end of the trial programme, whether it will launch electric cars in the United States or not.

"If everything goes smoothly, the trial operation of Chery's S18 electric cars will start in the United States by the end of 2011," said Yuan Tao, general manager of Chery's new energy vehicle branch.

And Chery isn't the only carmaker that plans to expand its operations into the United States. BYD, also known as the most ambitious Chinese auto company because it hopes to become the world's number one car producer, is also looking at the US as to a potential target. Not only that BYD wants to launch its cars in the US, but the company also intends to build a local plant to enhance the whole business.

According to rumors, the headquarters would be located in California, with the plant to cover more than 1M sq. ft. Of course, it would lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs, a thing that probably makes the US government think twice before deciding whether to support the Chinese expansion or not.