More and more Chery cars are making their way onto SA roads – find out why
When Chinese car brand Chery announced its return to South Africa last year, the reaction was understandable: “Wait, what, why?” Understandable, because SA’s experience with the brand is at best a resounding “Meh!” Chery entered our market in 2008 under the Imperial banner. It sold the very entry-level QQ, QQ3, the J2 and J3 hatchbacks and later the underwhelming Tiggo TX. By 2018 the brand had faded away, and South African motoring moved on.
So now it’s back here. What has changed and why should we pay attention the second time around? We should pay attention because Chery is returning with major financial backing and a big plan.
Chery South Africa
Unlike in 2008, Chery’s presence in South Africa is driven by Chery South Africa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the giant Chery automotive and technology group that has been China’s top vehicle exporter for the past 18 years. Chery South Africa’s head office will be in Bryanston, Johannesburg. At the moment it has around 40 dealers around the country, with more coming online. Its parts and distribution network has been meticulously laid down to support its dealers and drivers. Chery has put a lot of money and talent into re-entering South Africa. It is far bigger than it was before.
Big
The word big is often associated with Chery – the company, not the cars. The cars are normal-sized. Chery has a big global network with over 9.5 million Chery owners across more than 80 countries and regions. Every two minutes another someone buys a Chery somewhere in the world.
Chery has been around since 1997 as a carmaker, and since then it has reinvented itself as a technology and design leader. It focuses on core technology like engines, vehicle platforms and safety. It holds over 13 000 tech patents and has 5 500 dedicated research and development specialists around the world.
Technology
Chery’s technology is highly visible, for example, its electric EQ1 and EQ5 won ten awards in the recent China EV Rally, including fastest-charging battery and best battery endurance.
Its current 1.6 ACTECTO TGDI direct-injection engine – 145 kW and 290 Nm – was voted one of the ten best engines in China, along with five other Chery motors. Its 2.0 TGDI engine offers 192 kW and 400 Nm.
Chery has also developed best in class vehicle platforms. These include SUVs, sedans and future new propulsion vehicles, including future SUVs, high-end SUVs and MPVs, sedans and the forthcoming NEV platform for new energy vehicles.
There is a new Universal Hybrid system coming that will offer real-world fuel consumption of 1-litre per 100km in combined driving, but which can do 0 – 100 in 5 seconds. Besides its own tech structures, Chery works with world leaders like Aisin, Getrag (now part of Magna Powertrain), Bosch and Schaeffler on new tech.
The Cars
But we don’t buy future tech, we buy cars today. Today you will find your Chery in a modern, gleaming, fully appointed dealership with knowledgeable staff to assist you. You will look at and test drive the stunning new Tiggo 4 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro and note the great design, solid and robust build, myriad of luxury and safety features and really excellent prices.
That Warranty
Then you will find out about the 10-year/ 1 000 000km warranty and you will realise this is not the Chery of yesteryear. It is a serious brand for serious South African drivers.
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