Will Chery provide platforms for JLR?

Chery Auto arrives in Europe with no less than three brands – Exlantix, Jaecoo and Omoda – but does not want to settle for a role in the shadow of European brands. Therefore, the Chinese manufacturer has decided to cooperate with some of the latter for the distribution of platforms intended for electric vehicles. Already in the process of finalizing an agreement with two brands from the Old Mainland, Yin Tongyue – the president of Chery – announced that he would conclude another one with one or two other “higher” manufacturers than his brands sold in the Old Mainland. But what brands are these?

Also read our interview with Derek Lu, Benelux Director of Chery Automobiles

What? Do you like JLR or only opportunity?

When Mr. Yin mentions one or two brands “higher than ours” (a reference to Exlantix) the candidates don’t seem to be many. Audi and Porsche already have their own PPE platform for Europe (and other markets too) on which the new Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan EV are based. In addition, Audi has already signed a contract with SAIC for the Chinese market, while Volkswagen has joined forces with XPeng. BMW and Mercedes have also already developed their own advanced electric platforms, BMW’s Neue Klasse, Mercedes-EQ and MMA for the star company. For their part, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and DS can rely on STLA architecture from Stellantis and the Volvo-Polestar duo is part of the Chinese Geely group.

So there remains – in this high-end logic without having great luxury – only JLR. Jaguar Land Rover has announced an electric range for the near future. Jaguar will be an exclusively electric brand from 2025 while Land Rover will undoubtedly go through a “plug-in hybrid” phase but should go electric by 2030 as well. However, we know that JLR and Chery are already industrial partners through a joint venture that produces Jaguars and Land Rovers in China at a factory in Changshu.

Factory in Spain

In addition, Chery should complete the purchase of the former Nissan Barcelona plant, which was closed in 2021 to produce electric vehicles there. Information that would be confirmed by the Spanish government and EV Motors mediator who is acting on behalf of Chery Auto.