Anhui (China)-Three decades ago, domestic engines and cars were a dream for China. The country's automotive journey began with joint ventures with European, American, and Japanese brands. Chery played a crucial role in this progress, becoming the first Chinese company to develop its own engine.
Yin Tongyue, now chairman of Chery Holdings, led the development of that engine. Founded in 1997, Chery became Chery Holding Group by 2010, marking major progress in the industry. Owned by the Wuhu local government, Chery now produces ICE, hybrid, and battery-electric vehicles.
Chery’s ambition extends beyond cars. It has developed robots and flying cars to improve mobility and global connectivity through its 'O-Universe' vision. These technologies are in advanced testing stages as Chery competes globally.
Expanding through its Chery, Omoda, and Jaecoo brands, the company moves as fast as a Shanghai–Wuhu bullet train. Chery covers ICE vehicles; Omoda and Jaecoo focus on EVs and hybrids. This momentum placed Chery Holding Group at 385th on the 2024 Fortune Global 500 list, with revenue surpassing $39.9 billion.
Multi-Brand Strategy and Global ReachChery sells vehicles under Chery, Exeed, iCAR, Luxeed, and Exlantix in China. It has also invested in other Chinese automakers and plans to launch a compact hatchback under the QQ brand for both domestic and international markets.
R&D and Design Excellence
Chery invests around 7 percent of annual sales in R&D. Its main centers are in Wuhu and Jiangsu, China, with a German R&D facility launched in 2019 that grew from 30 to over 120 employees by 2024. To support high-quality production, Chery partners with suppliers from the U.S., Germany, Australia, and France.
The company emphasizes strong design. In 2012, it hired former GM designer James Hope and later brought in talent from Porsche and Mazda. By 2023, Chery had six design centers—one in Wuhu, two in Shanghai, and three in Germany.
The Omoda 3, set to launch in October, showcases Chery’s design strengths with a Starship-inspired cockpit and emotionally appealing exterior. In April 2025, at the International Business Summit, Chery unveiled both the Omoda 3 and the hybrid Omoda 7 to over 3,000 global dealers and media reps.
China’s Leading Auto Exporter
Chery has been China’s top car exporter for 22 consecutive years. It began exporting in the early 2000s, reaching the top spot by 2003. By 2024, it exported to over 80 countries, including Nepal. Key markets include Russia, South America, and the Middle East. In 2024 alone, Chery produced over 2.6 million vehicles.
Joint Venture with Jaguar Land Rover
In 2012, Chery and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) formed a joint venture with equal ownership, investing $2.78 billion to produce cars in China. In 2014, they began manufacturing the Range Rover Evoque in Jiangsu, marking JLR’s first production outside the UK. Production continues today.
JLR also uses Chery’s EV platform for its upcoming models. In June 2024, both companies agreed to expand their partnership, focusing on electrification. Under Chery’s modular EV platform, they plan to revive the Freelander brand using E0X and M3X architecture.
Strong Presence in Nepal through SPG Automobiles
In 2021, SPG Automobiles Pvt. Ltd., part of the Sharada Group, became Chery’s official distributor in Nepal. Before this, limited service and spare parts caused issues. SPG resolved this and introduced new models, starting with the Tiggo (ICE).
Soon after, Chery prioritized Nepal for EVs, launching the Omoda E5, followed by the Jaecoo J6 SUV. Within a year, SPG gained over 800 satisfied customers. This success came from Chery’s high-quality vehicles and SPG’s strong market presence. SPG also invested in post-sales service and EV charging infrastructure, boosting customer confidence.
Advanced Production in Wuhu
Chery’s headquarters in Wuhu, Anhui Province, includes four plants with assembly, welding, painting, design, and R&D. Using semi-robotic tech, the plants produce multiple car models on a single line—one car every minute.
New Models and Future FocusAt the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, Chery Group showcased 53 models across its five brands: Chery, Exeed, Jetour, iCAR, and Luxeed. The Chery brand alone revealed 16 new models, including the redesigned electric QQ, Fengyun A9 sedan, and Tiggo 9L SUV concept.
Chery offers ICE, hybrid, and electric powertrains. iCAR unveiled new color variants of the V23 SUV and concept models for pickups and convertibles. Chery also launched a pickup under its new Himalaya brand.
Chery remains committed to electrification, AI, sustainability, and globalization. The company integrates advanced batteries, motors, intelligent driving systems, and sustainable materials to deliver high-quality, eco-friendly, and innovative vehicles worldwide.
