Chery

Fun to Drive, Smart to Own

Fun to Drive, Smart to Own🇨🇳 Wuhu, ChinaLegacy OEM

Founded

1997

Wuhu

Making EVs since

2009

Entered EU

2024

EVs on EVRadar

Service network

Growing

The story

Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. was founded in 1997 in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China. It is a state-owned automaker that rose to prominence as one of China's largest passenger vehicle exporters. The name 'Chery' is derived from the English word 'cheery'. Starting with licensed platforms, Chery quickly developed its own models and powertrains. It was the first Chinese automaker to independently develop a complete engine and to export vehicles and CKD kits abroad. In the EV era, Chery has launched dedicated electric models under its own nameplate and sub-brands like Omoda and Jaecoo, focusing on affordable electrification with competitive range and equipment levels.

Official site →

Worth knowing

Chery was the first Chinese automaker to export complete vehicles and CKD kits, shipping to over 80 countries.

The Chery QQ was one of the best-selling small cars in China and sparked a famous intellectual-property dispute with GM over design similarities to the Daewoo Matiz/Chevrolet Spark.

Chery's Wuhu headquarters sits in a province better known for its black tea and ancient Yellow Mountain scenery than automotive manufacturing.

The 'eQ' name was first used in 2014—long before Mercedes-Benz launched its EQ sub-brand—and Chery still uses it for models like the eQ7.

The road here

EV milestones

1997 – Chery founded in Wuhu

Anhui

China. 2001 – First passenger car

the Chery Fengyun (based on a licensed SEAT Toledo platform)

rolls off the line. 2003 – Enters export markets

becoming China's top passenger-vehicle exporter. 2006 – Launches the Chery QQ3 EV

an early low-speed electric pilot. 2014 – Introduces the eQ

its first mass-produced lithium-battery electric car. 2021 – Announces a major electrification push with 20+ new-energy models planned. 2023 – Debuts the eQ7 electric SUV and the Omoda E5 (badged as Chery E5 in some markets). 2024 – Strengthens European presence with Omoda and Jaecoo sub-brands

offering competitive EV SUVs.

Brand DNA

affordableexport-focusedLFP-preferringpragmatic rangevalue-packed equipmentglobal emerging markets

The honest read

Strengths

+Aggressive pricing undercuts European and Korean competitors.
+Generous standard equipment for the money.
+Solid real-world range from LFP packs with decent thermal stability.
+Extensive export experience ensures parts and service networks in many emerging markets.
+Straightforward, functional interiors with modern infotainment.

Watch-outs

–Euro NCAP or equivalent safety scores are often unavailable or lag behind European peers.
–Charging curves can be conservative—peak DC rates are modest and taper early in some models.
–Brand perception and resale values remain unproven outside China.
–OTA update frequency and long-term software support track record are still building.
–Dealer network density in Western Europe is thin compared to established brands.

Battery & platform DNA

Chery sources LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries primarily from CATL and occasionally from BYD's FinDreams division. The company emphasizes safety and longevity, with typical battery warranties of 8 years or 160,000 km, targeting 70% or higher state-of-health retention. Chery has been gradually shifting from NMC chemistries in early EVs to LFP for most new models, prioritizing cost-effectiveness, thermal stability, and cycle life over energy density.

EVRadar verdict

Chery is an affordable, export-hardened Chinese brand making a pragmatic EV pitch: decent range, LFP safety, and a generous kit list for thousands less than the establishment. It won't excite enthusiasts or set Nürburgring records, but for cost-conscious buyers who prioritise value and real-world usability over badge prestige, a Chery EV is increasingly hard to ignore—provided you're comfortable with softer brand cachet and a still-maturing European aftersales network.

Company