Chery S18 spy photos: will launch in August?

Following by the listing of Riich and Rely, and the production of G6, Chery’s 2009 strategic plan is now opening. For new models, Chery will launch the luxury G6, A-class models and micro cars. Here we got the latest spy photos of Chery’s micro electric car Chery S18.  Sources reported that S18 will launch in August with G6 and other new models.

The sport-style QQme and the coming S18 makes Chery become stronger in the micro car market, after all, Geely Panda and BYD F0 have been big competetors to Chery A1 and QQ3.

source: auto.163.com

Chery is entering the 4-brand times

As the flagship of all Chinese automakers, Chery have passed its 11th year, and Chery cars had become the first choice of many Chinese people. But to our regret, Chery do not have any high-end brands before. Status changes from March 19th, Chery’s high-end brand Riich come up to our eyes, the Chery high-end sedans and commercial cars will be produced using Riich brand, since then,  Chery is by no dulbt entering the 4 brand times: Chery, Riich, Rely and Karry brand.

Chery’s high-end car Chery Riich on production

Chery sales status in February

Chery sales February

Chery Cross: 786 units
Chery Riich 2: 781 units
Chery Karry: 58 units
Chery A1: 1034 units
Chery A3: 3098 units
Chery A5: 3889 units
Chery QQ3: 10076 units
Chery QQ6: 2579 units
Chery Eastar: 206 units
Chery Qiyun: 4099 units
Chery Tiggo: 2083 units

Source: CPCA

Chery’s luxury brand: Chery Riich is ready

Xinhua said yesterday that Chery is set to release its luxury car brand Riich (Ruiqi) on March 18, with six models to go on sale in the high-end auto market.

Chery Riich was said to have much in common with Bentley, like logo, especially featuring the renowned Bentley wing signature design for a dapper and refined look. This design is shared by other luxury brands as well, such as Chrysler and Aston Martin. In the middle of the Chery luxury-brand’s wing-like logo is a letter “R” (of Riich), just as the “B” of Bentley.

source: xinhua / gasgoo

Chery was approved to bid for Ford Volvo

China’s top economic planner has approved of Chery Auto’s plan to buy the Volvo, Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post reported today.

The media report added that another Dongfeng Motor has also submitted its Volvo-bidding plan to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). However, the Chery’s spokesman denied it.

Ford put Volvo up for sale late last year to raise cash, but has found little interest in the brand, because many potential buyers are facing similar crisis and the nearly $6 billion needed for buying Volvo is a prohibitive price for most carmakers.

source: gasgoo.com

Fight against BYD? Chery to launch hybrid cars

Not long after QQme’s launches, Chery plans to launch two more hybrid cars this year to tap into the growing hybrid car market.

Chery would launch A5 this year and A3 in 2010. Also a Tiggo-based hybrid SUV model and a QQ-based pure electric model are under development though no timeline was set for their launch, by reported.

All of the electric motors and hybrid systems on these future models are developed by supplier Ricardo, a world leading automotive consultance firm employing over 1,700 people all around the world.

This makes Chery the 2nd Chinese manufacturer to unveil an electric car after BYD, who unveiled its plug-in hybrid BYD F3DM in December 2008.

Chery QQme is ready!

Chery QQ won the No.1 sales championship in January, not for long, the new model Chery QQme (come with QQ6 and QQ3) is to release on April.

As a fashionable mini-car model designed for young customers, the Chery QQme will rival the VW Beetles and BMW Mini in the market. But in the design essence, styling aesthetics and youthful dynamics, Chery QQme is claimed to have no match yet in the small car segment. Chery Auto started as a manufacturer of QQ small cars and still keeps its leading R&D capability in this field.

The Chery QQme’s design is seen as a “cute overload” aimed at fashion-conscious young buyers, especially the female consumer demographic. The dashboard is supposed to imitate a smiling face.

[View with PicLens]

source: auto.163

Chery Automobile cut funds for China car venture

The Israel Corp holding company said on Sunday the initial investment in its joint venture to build cars in China would be cut to $500 million for 2009-2010 from the originally planned $900 million.

Chery Quantum Auto Co is a joint venture between Israel Corp’s subsidiary Quantum and China’s Wuhu Chery Automobile Investment Co.

The two sides also decided to change the holdings in the joint venture so that Quantum would own 50 percent instead of the 45 percent it currently holds. Chery’s stake will fall to 50 percent from 55 percent, Israel Corp said in a statement.

The Israeli company said the initial investment for 2009 and 2010 would be reduced as a result of a decision to develop fewer models and the postponement in building a special factory. The two sides have decided to use Chery’s current production facilities for the time being, Israel Corp said.

Quantum will not be required to inject any more money in 2009-2010 beyond the $200 million it has already invested. An additional investment of $40 million, if need be, could be made in 2011 at the earliest, Israel Corp said.

Chery Quantum Auto will build electric cars as well as conventional automobiles, it said.

source: Reuters

Spy shots: Chery Tiggo 6 on testing drive

As a medium and large-size SUV, Chery Tiggo 6 was first showed on 07‘ April’s Shanghai auto show and being silent ever since. Until recently Tiggo 6 was found on testing, it indicated that Tiggo 6 was set to production.

The first sight, you will find it’s a real Chery Tiggo, but in details you will also find that Tiggo 6 has changed a lot, much different from the one on 07′ Shanghai auto show. Tiggo 6 was internal named “B22″, compared to the same platform B21 (A6 sedan) and B23 (A6CC coupe) have all been tested for many years, the Tiggo 6 test progress has lagged a lot.

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