The 2025 Chery global business conference took place last week in Wuhu, China.
International media, dealers, local politicians and stakeholders converged for the annual event, which Chery uses to outline plans and new models. We attended the weeklong gathering.
This year’s summit kicked off at the 21st Auto Shanghai, the biennial vehicle and technology expo Beijing holds on alternate years. Our hosts, Chery International, showcased a raft of freshened up, new and plug-in-hybrid versions of existing models, including a hotter electric Exeed Exlantix Sport sedan.
The new Himla double-cab bakkie also made its public debut after the company teased a concept at the 2024 conference.
Business conference
Chery’s top executives, including Zhang Guibing, president of Chery International and CEO of the AiMOGA Robot Company venture, kept visitors busy with endless programmes.
Most of their plans include rapid introduction of more new-energy vehicles and the expansion of the business into new markets. The company also continues to partner with many NGOs for sustainability and social development programmes.
Guibing also fielded questions from the international media contingent, who asked him whether construction of the US assembly plant he mentioned at last year’s conference was being hindered by the China-US tariff wars.
Guibing said the plans have not been negatively affected in the short-term but will suffer in the long-run if the conflict continues.
New cars
The Chinese company also used the conference centre in Wuhu to launch the new Lepas L8 SUV, which can be viewed as the company’s chic brand, adopting bright colours on the inside and its exterior.
Lepas models, with their smoother and rounder contours, will slot in above the high-end models of Chery’s Tiggo 4, 7 and 8 Pro models as more expensive and exclusive offerings. The local subsidiary plans to introduce the range in South Africa to be sold separately from the core Chery brand.
The company’s Jetour brand showcased supersized SUVs, including the G900 with Rolls-Royce Cullinan-esque aesthetics and amphibious driving capability.
It uses an advanced iDM-O super hybrid system optimised for off-road performance and an iEM-O Amphibious range extender system which provides tank level propulsion with up to 18,000Nm of torque and 2,500 Newtons of thrust, enabling seamless operation across land and water.
A maximum ground clearance of 350mm is possible and capabilities include tank-turning and crab-walk mode.
Jetour also showed a rugged lifestyle double-cab bakkie based on the Chery Himla platform.
What about the bakkie?
The new Himla pickup will not be coming to SA as it is exclusively aimed at left-hand drive markets.
Though initial driving impressions revealed a solid effort by the Chinese brand, the bakkie has smaller dimensions than SA buyers are used to.
The longer and wider design study — code-named the KP31 — shown by the brand has a better promise for SA introduction. Chery said the unnamed model will be larger and offered in diesel, petrol and plug-in-hybrid drivetrains.
Super hybrids
Increased electrification of Chery and its Omoda, Jaecoo, iCar, Exeed and Luxeed brands took centre stage.
New models fitted with the brand’s plug-in-hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) drivetrain were available for short drive impressions, including the Chery Tiggo Cross, new Tiggo 7 and the large Tiggo 9 Pro SUV.
Chery SA said some are headed to these shores, and they offer scintillating acceleration, driving modes and the promise of long-range driving. Some new models from the wide Chery portfolio are pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
Auto Shanghai
While many auto shows struggle to draw crowds, with some even cancelled, Auto Shanghai was packed to the rafters.
Chinese brands dominated the show floors, while a smattering of European legacy brands such as Audi, VW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche set up stands next to edgily styled and heavily digitised Asian alternatives.
The message that it’s now a Chinese and electric car world was clear for all to see.
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