Can Chery go sub-premium in SA?

In the years between 2007-2010, South Africa enjoyed an incredible spate of Chinese brand introductions.

Most of these were simply aged Japanese bakkie platforms, sold as new, on the cheap. With the local market at record strength during this time, the demand was there.

But as customers discovered that these Chinese bakkies were not quite as durable as Japanese legacy products, and lacking credible aftersales support, the Chinese brands folded. Dramatically.

The only Chinese car company that has navigated local market expectations with credibility, has been GWM. Its latest P-Series bakkie is a serious bit of kit and the Haval SUV and crossover ranges, sell very well.

But now, one of the departed Chinese brands is making a return. Chery is aiming to meaningfully engage with the local market by September this year, as a more agile local entity (it won’t use a distributor but will enter as Chery SA standalone).

Chery Tiggo interior looks as modern as any other family SUV. Exterior featured above.

There is no question that Chery has more to offer than Tiggo. Product strategistsat Chery have observed the success of GMW, with its Haval sub-brand, and must believe that South Africanbuyers are now finally willing to pay more, for the latest-generation Chinese vehicles.

The brand is expected to initially launch with the Tiggo 2 and Tiggo 8, the number represents the size of the vehicle. The Tiggo 2 is about the same size as a Kia Seltos/Hyundai Creta and powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine (78 kW/135 Nm). There’s a choice of a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed auto, not particularly advanced but expect it to be priced keenly.

The Tiggo 8 is a family SUV sized vehicle in the vein of the CX-5/Haval H6/Tiguan. Several engines are available (we’ll have to see what we are offered locally) all of which feature petrol and turbocharging. A 1.5-turbopetrol develops 108 kW and 210 Nm, then a 1.6-turbopetrol offers 147 kW and 290 Nm while a 2.0-turbopetrol produces 190 kW and 350 Nm. The 1.5 makes use of a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox while the other 2 units use a 7-speed dual-clutch ‘box.

What will make a difference for Chery, beyond Tiggo? Exeed and Jetour. The names might be odd, but the product is a world beyond Tiggo. While we don’t know the exact product lineup yet, here’s what we know about those 2 cars.

Chery’s Exeed is a very convincing crossover, about the size of a Rav4. It uses a platform jointly developed with esteemed Austro-Canadian automotive supplier, Magna, and is powered by a choice of 1.5- or 1.6-litre turbopetrol engines.

The 1.6-litre version is available in all-wheel drive, and with 145 kW and 290 Nm, should make a decent drive, even at Highveld altitudes.

Both the front- and all-wheel drive Exeed variants use a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and there is a long-wheelbase option, with third-row seating.

The Jetour is a slightly bigger seven-seater, which oddly, is only configured as a front-wheel drive. Despite its size, the Jetour uses a similar range of 1.5- and 1.6-litre turbopetrol engines, although there is the option of a six-speed manual gearbox, on the base version.

These new Cherys offer progressive styling, loads of kit and better finish than any Chinese vehicle from a decade ago.

The only issue, as is the case with Haval, would be an absence of diesel engine options.

Top spec VX Exceed is about the same size as a Toyota Rav4.

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