Chery unveils commitment to electrification

Chinese carmaker Chery unveiled its electrification ambition on Friday as it steps up efforts to explore the increasingly popular sector in the world's largest vehicle market.

Gao Xinhua, executive vice-president of the Anhui province-based carmaker, said this year it will launch a platform for hybrids and another for electric vehicles as well as a slew of cutting-edge technologies including those for its batteries and the carmaker's own operating system.

Chery's high-end Exeed marque released an NEV product line called Sterra, which it said will cover models from sedans to SUVs and MPVs. The models will be available in both electric versions and range-extending ones.

The carmaker also unveiled its third-generation hybrid technology. The dedicated powertrain features a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that generates a maximum output of 115 kW and a top torque of 220 Nm.

The third-generation technology allows vehicles to sprint from zero to 100 km/hour in 4.6 seconds, said Chery.

Four models featuring the technology were showcased on Friday. Li Xueyong, vice-president of Chery, said it will launch at least 20 models using its latest hybrid technology from 2023 to 2024.

Chery also unveiled its standalone NEV brand, called iCar, at the same event. Details about the brand and its models are expected to be explained on April 16, said the carmaker.

China has been the world's largest market for NEVs. There were 6.89 million electric cars and plug-in hybrids were sold, up 93.4 percent year-on-year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The figure is expected to reach 9 million by the end of this year.