Jaecoo premium SUVs to join Omoda models in Chinese brand Chery’s UK line-up

Chinese car maker Chery has confirmed that it will be selling its Jaecoo models in the UK next year, alongside the Omoda cars that have already been confirmed.

Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Chery International spokesperson Victor Zhang said that the first Jaecoo model, the Hyundai Tucson-sized J7 should be on sale in the UK by June 2024. A UK dealer network is in the process of being set up and could be ready to start showing cars from later this year.

Jaecoo will be aimed squarely at the UK’s premium brands with a range of electric and electrified SUVs, taking experience Chery has gained from its relationship with JLR in China, where the two have a joint venture.

Eventually, the Jaecoo J7 – likely to be a rival for Audi’s Q3 – will be joined by a smaller J5 model set to take on the Audi Q2 and larger J9 car targeting the Q5.

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Omoda models on sale from early 2024

Meanwhile, more details on the first Chery model to arrive in the UK next year have been revealed, the Omoda C5. The Qashqai-sized car will arrive in February next year in EV and petrol versions.

Omoda says it has been working hard on battery efficiency to enable the C5 to have a smaller battery than some rivals, but still offer a competitive range. So a 62kWh battery will be fitted that should still see the C5 go 280 miles between charges. Fast charging will enable an 80 per cent top up in just 30 minutes.

Auto Express had a sneak preview of the Omoda C5 at this year’s Shanghai show and it’s a smart, if generic, looking car with a high-quality, reasonably spacious interior. When the first models arrive next year, we’d expect the petrol car, powered by a 1.6-litre TGDi engine, to cost around £25,000. The EV C5, with its unique styling featuring Omoda’s X-shaped front design language, should start at around £36,000.

Omoda will also be filling out its range over the next few years with the C7 model – like the Jaecoo J7, similar in size to a Hyundai Tucson – the Santa Fe-sized Omoda C9 and a smaller Nissan Juke-sized Omoda C3 car.

In terms of brand, Xhang admitted that Omoda has been benchmarking Kia for its upcoming models.

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