Neglect Apple: Chery has iCars, however will it deliver them right here?

Chery has a sprawling array of manufacturers, and it has filed a trademark in Australia for arguably its quirkiest.

iCar, established in 2023, wears a reputation that sounds prefer it might have been used for Apple’s aborted automobile undertaking, however is as a substitute a Chinese language electrical automobile (EV) model that specialises in boxy SUVs.

A trademark was filed with IP Australia on December 23, 2024 for the iCar model, specified to be used on new automobiles.

“We’re all the time all for exploring fashions throughout the thrilling Chery product vary, nevertheless presently there aren’t any plans for both automobile for the Australian market,” mentioned a Chery Australia spokesperson when requested concerning the possibilities of both the iCar line or the Omoda C9.

The latter was a automobile each spied domestically and permitted on the market in our market.

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It stays to be seen whether or not Chery will deviate from its beforehand introduced technique of promoting automobiles throughout its namesake model and Jaecoo, which can launch right here later this 12 months.

Chery is meant to be the mass-market model, with Jaecoo having a extra premium positioning – maybe suggesting why the Omoda C9 has but to go on sale right here, because it’s a product from the premium Exeed model which doesn’t fairly match below both the Chery or Jaecoo nameplates.

Producers usually file to guard nameplates that will not be provided right here.

For instance, Chery additionally filed to guard the Jaecoo, Jetour, Exlantix and Luxeed model names between 2022 and 2024, however solely one among these has been confirmed for a neighborhood launch.

Chery’s advertising and marketing methods can be very regional. In some markets, for instance, it sells its Omoda 5 below a separate Omoda model; in China, Jaecoo fashions are bought as Cherys; and in Russia, sure Exeed fashions are bought below the Exlantix model.

iCar’s debut product, the 03, can be bought because the Jaecoo J6 in sure markets together with one other right-hand drive market, Thailand.

It measures 4406mm lengthy, 1910mm huge and 1715mm tall on a 2715mm wheelbase. That makes it 169mm shorter, 65mm narrower and 35mm taller than a Mazda CX-5 on a 15mm longer wheelbase.

Obtainable with both a 50.63kWh, 65.69 or 69.77kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, it gives between 401km and 501km of vary on the CLTC cycle.

In China, it’s provided with a alternative of 135kW/220Nm single-motor or 165kW/385Nm dual-motor powertrains.

The 03 was adopted final 12 months by the V23, which measures 4220mm lengthy, 1915mm huge and 1845mm tall on a 2735mm wheelbase. That makes it bigger than a Suzuki Jimny XL, however smaller than Chery’s Omoda E5 electrical SUV.

It has between 301km and 501km of CLTC vary, with a alternative of 47.28, 59.93 and 81.76kWh batteries.

The boxy SUV is obtainable with 100kW/180Nm single-motor and 155kW/292Nm dual-motor powertrains.

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