Chinese group Chery plans to start selling cars in Italy later in 2024 – 03/22/2024

Chery Auto will start selling cars from the Omoda and Jaecoo brands in Italy in the third quarter, its Italian country director said, making it the second Chinese market in Europe.

By the end of 2025, Chery is planning three SUV models for the Omoda and Jaecoo brands with a combination of fuel types to be used in different parts of Europe.

Chery is one of the Chinese car manufacturers that offers affordable, especially electric cars in Europe.

It started selling cars in Spain at the beginning of this year and will go on sale in the UK and Poland before the end of 2024, as well as other European markets. .

Trade tensions are high between China and the European Union, which is investigating whether Chinese electric car makers are benefiting from unfair public subsidies.

Chery is also considering building an assembly plant in Europe and has held discussions with the Italian government to invest in the country, sources told Reuters, adding that other options for the Chinese carmaker include Spain.

The company plans to start sales in Italy with gasoline versions of the Omoda 5 crossover and the larger Jaecoo 7 SUV, followed by the fully electric Omoda 5 and the hybrid version of the Jaecoo 7 in late 2024.

The company hasn’t revealed pricing, but the gasoline-powered Omoda 5 starts at 29,900 euros ($32,400) in Spain.

Like its Chinese rival BYD, Chery will use a local dealer network, which Mr Jean says will give it quick access to a wider sales network and give credibility to its new products.

“Establishing an effective after-sales service will also be a priority,” Mr Jean said, adding that Chery was in talks to secure a dedicated position in 40 Italian dealerships, expected to reach around 60 by the end of 2024. ($1 = 0.9228 euro) (Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari; Editing by Alexander Smith)