“We can be up and running in 12 to 18 months”

Chinese carmaker Chery: “We could be ready to operate in 12 to 18 months”

Chinese car manufacturer Chery is working to enter the European market. European boss Jochen Tüting talks in an interview with “kfz-betrieb” about his plans and explains how quickly it can happen and why it might take a little longer.

Although Chery is not one of China’s largest automakers, it is still a viable player with nearly 750,000 vehicles sold in 2018. The manufacturer, founded in 1997, exports more vehicles than any other Chinese automaker. Last year there were 110,000 units. The company operates in more than 80 countries and regions in Asia, South America and North Africa. Market watcher Focus-2-Move ranks Chery 22nd in the world’s 25 largest automakers.

Two years ago, Chery presented its new Exeed brand at the IAA in Frankfurt and announced its entry into the European market in the medium term. Since autumn 2018, the car manufacturer has been officially represented on the continent by Chery Europe GmbH, which is located in Raunheim near Frankfurt. A research and development center is currently being built in Raunheim, and Kevin Rice, who was poached from Mazda, will also oversee global design from there. “kfz-betrieb” spoke to Chery Europe boss Jochen Tüting about the Chinese carmaker’s plans.