Chery Group makes a dazzling appearance at Auto China

Chery Group makes a dazzling appearance at Auto China

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‍For once, we can admit that Chinese vehicle manufacturers are experiencing a moment in the spotlight, as we have noticed a surge in popularity over the past few years in South Africa. As a result, South African brands like the Chery Group have demonstrated enhancements in vehicle quality and outstanding innovation in technologically advanced cars

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‍To provide some context, Chery first entered the South African market in 2008 but faced numerous challenges, including poor sales and concerns over vehicle quality. These issues led to Chery’s withdrawal from the market in 2018, a decade after its initial entry. The brand had to reassess its strategy and make necessary improvements. Their efforts paid off when they re-entered the South African market in late 2021 by introducing their Tiggo 4 compact crossover, followed by the Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 7 ranges. In 2023, Chery made further progress by introducing the Omoda brand to support its export strategy.

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Just in time for the Beijing Auto Show, also known as Auto China, we jetted off to China as guests of Chery, and our objective was to gain insights into the carmaker’s plans and innovations, with a particular focus on their plans for the local market.

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Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV

Under the brand’s New Energy, New Eco, and New Era theme, the Tiggo 9 PHEV 7-seater stole the spotlight at the Chery stand at the show. When it enters the market in the fourth quarter of this year or early next year, it will serve as the range's flagship. At first glance, the Tiggo 9 is unmistakably larger compared to its Tiggo 8 counterpart, which was also present on the stand. It measures 4,810mm in length, 1,925mm wide, and stands 1,741mm tall, thus making the Tiggo 9 90mm longer, 65mm wider, and 36mm longer than the Tiggo 8. 

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In terms of styling, it's a handsome beaut within the range, and it brings with it a range of stunning aesthetics, such as narrow headlights, flush door handles, 20-inch alloy wheels, sealed-off front grilles for the electrified variants, and normal vented grilles for the conventional models. What’s exciting, though, is what the Tiggo 9 PHEV brings to the table. Like most Cehry products currently in SA, it comes fitted with a wide range of impressive features and safety systems that you’d normally pay extra for in German products. For starters, there is a huge 15.6-inch HD infotainment system that's a gateway to the vehicle’s functions. It also comes equipped with a comprehensive range of semi-autonomous safety systems. 

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While Chery has assured us that the Tiggo 9 will be available locally with ICE-powered powertrains, the range-topping PHEV we tested piqued our curiosity. It packs a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that works in tandem with an electric motor. The engine alone pumps out 175kW and 385Nm while the electric motor, on the other hand, produces 165kW. An 8-speed automatic transmission sends that amount of power to all four wheels via the brand’s AWD system. 

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Chery hadn't confirmed the Tiggo 9 PHEV's battery size or EV range at the time of writing, but it has mentioned that it can travel up to 1,200km on a single tank, and drivers can look forward to an average fuel consumption figure of 5.2l/100km. If these figures are achieved in real-world conditions, the Tiggo 9 PHEV could rank among the most economical plug-in hybrid vehicles in SA.

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As for the ICE-powered models, Chery hasn’t provided any particulars, but we expect the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine from the Tiggo 8 to power the Tiggo 9 range. As a reminder, the Tiggo 8's engine produces 187kW and 390Nm. After a short stint behind the wheel of the Tiggo 9 PHEV, it’s clear that Chery's engineers have gone to extra lengths to eliminate the very sensitive accelerator pedal that we have experienced in the Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7, and Tiggo 8 variants.

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At the testing facility, we tested the brakes and steering setup by driving the Tiggo 9 on a tight circular track and a short straight section. Although this limited test drive may not provide a comprehensive assessment, our initial impressions suggest that the Tiggo 9 is a commendable vehicle and one to look forward to. 

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Tiggo 4 Pro Max

The Tiggo 4 Pro Max, a flagship variant, will join the Tiggo 4 Pro range three years after its arrival in SA. Chery confirmed that the current lineup will stay unaltered, with facelifts and a 7-speed DCT option planned for the upcoming months. As a refresher, the current range consists of the Urban, Comfort, and Elite derivatives. Along with the addition of the 'Max' suffix, the Tiggo 4 Pro Max has a completely new look that includes a widened front grille with chrome detailing, new alloy wheels, a headlight assembly that resembles the current slimmer Tiggo 7 Pro Max headlights, and a new bumper with a darkened LED strip at the back. 

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The interior, on the other hand, sees the introduction of a larger, freestanding dual-screen display comprising a digital instrument cluster and an infotainment system for a wider visual appeal. The most notable change is the replacement of the current CVT with a 7-speed DCT transmission, which promises to improve fuel efficiency. According to Chery, the new transmission will work with the same 1.5-litre turbocharged engine for improved fuel economy. The new Tiggo 4 Pro Max is slated to join the local range before the end of the year. 

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Is the future looking good? 

During our visit to China in 2023, the Chery Group stated that it remains committed to the local market and plans to expand its product portfolio as it looks into entering the bakkie segment. Speaking to TopGear Magazine South Africa at the Chery headquarters, the brand revealed that a bakkie, yet to be named, is currently under development. According to the brand's senior executives, the unnamed bakkie will sit on a unibody platform, which is different from the body-on-frame construction that is typically found underpinning most bakkies in South Africa.

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Details surrounding the model, set to be revealed within the following 18 months, are currently confidential, but after the Auto China show, we visited Chery’s headquarters in Wuhu, where we participated in design surveys related to the bakkie. However, due to confidentiality, we can’t disclose any details. That said, we expect it to feature some high-end technologies, safety systems, and hybridised powertrains alongside conventional engines currently found in the Tiggo models.

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Also, the South African market can look forward to the Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV in the coming months. The Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV will combine a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a dual electric motor, drawing power from a 19.27kWh lithium battery pack, enabling a pure electric range of up to 75km. Given the high fuel economy that the current models have demonstrated, the introduction of this model could significantly alter the dynamics within the Chery Tiggo 8 range.

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In a recent interview with the executives of the Chery Group, the team highlighted local challenges such as load shedding and the lagging EV infrastructure as primary factors that cause delays in the introduction of BEVs in SA. The Chery brand assured the media that South Africa remains a priority market and that it will look at introducing more PHEVs because they appear to be better suited to local conditions.

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As for the brand’s local perception, Tony Liu, managing director for Chery SA, said that perception towards Chinese cars is one of the challenges. However, he emphasised that the brand is making concerted efforts to alter this narrative. “Currently, the Chery Group has a market share of 5%, and that is enough to show that we are getting somewhere and we are slowly winning trust."

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Since its re-entry into the market in 2021, the Chery brand appears to have perfected the formula for producing affordable vehicles packed with cutting-edge technologies. A visit to its headquarters in Wuhu provided insight into the company’s significant investment in SA, reflecting its purpose to become a highly sought-after brand in the region.