Chery models depart Shanghai for Sydney

CHERY has farewelled four evaluation vehicles bound for Sydney this week with a departure ceremony at its Shanghai port.

The four cars – two Omoda5 small SUVs, the five-seat Tiggo7 pro mid-sized SUV and a seven-seat Tiggo8 mid-sized SUV – will arrive in Sydney towards the middle of next month (September) where they will undergo appraisal by a factory-backed local importer.

The four evaluation vehicles follow three models shipped here earlier in 2022 as part of a customer clinic to evaluate styling and features.

Chery Automobile told GoAuto previously that it has been working in the background for some time to secure staff and premises for its local operations, the brand set to re-launch locally towards the latter part of this year.

Chery Automobile’s Australian brand manager, Zoe Zhang, said that the company will make its initial return Down Under with the Omoda5 small SUV ahead of a complete range of “safe and high-quality new models”.

“We will set up a subsidiary company in Australia,” said Ms Zhang.

“(Our company) is highly advanced in new energy technologies and is preparing to bring its safe and high-quality new models to the Australian market.”

The Chery Omoda5 is set to rival similar-sized offering from BYD, Hyundai, Kia and MG, and promises to enter the market as Australia’s more affordable electric car.

With up to 450km of driving range, new electric and electronic architecture, and the promise of a competitive price and aftersales program, the Omoda5 is understood to be powered by a 150kW/400Nm front-mounted motor supplied by a 64kWh battery pack.

The Wuhu-based brand says the model can be charged from zero to 80 per cent in 40 minutes via a fast charger, or in five hours from a domestic ‘wallbox’ charger.

A plug-in hybrid variant – offering up to 338kW in all-wheel drive configuration – is also slated for Australian delivery, but it is not yet known whether the PHEV Omoda5 will precede its all-electric sibling.

“As Chery's top heavyweight model, Omoda5, combined with the excellent quality and assured safety performance of Chery cars, this premier car will absolutely meet the expectation of Australian consumers on quality and safety as well as style and fun,” the brand said in a statement.

The Chery Omoda 5 rivals contemporaries including the Haval Jolion and MG ZS in terms of size, measuring 4400mm in length, 1830mm in width and 1585mm in height. It rides on a 2630mm wheelbase.

It means the Omoda5 measures 72mm longer, 11mm narrower and 11mm taller than the Jolion (and with a 70mm shorter wheelbase) and 86mm longer, 21mm wider and 59mm shorter than the MG ZS (but with a 45mm longer wheelbase).

In its home market, the Omoda5 is priced from ¥110,000 to ¥150,000 ($A23,015 to $A31,385).

Meanwhile, the larger Chery Tiggo7 pro and seven-seat Tiggo8 mid-sized SUVs will share the Omoda5’s Art in Motion design language and utilise in-house developed powertrains including 1.5- and 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engines, available optionally with mild-hybrid assistance.

In their domestic market, the units are rated at 115kW/230Nm and 146kW/290Nm respectively, the 48V mild-hybrid motor adding 55kW/160Nm and 70kW/155Nm to each of the petrol units.

Local pricing and specification for the Chery Omoda5, Tiggo7 pro and Tiggo8 are expected to be announced closer to the brand’s relaunch.