BUT Chinese car brand once responsible for Australia’s cheapest cars, plans to reinvent itself with a premium model inspired by the likes of Mercedes.
Cherithe cut-price maker, which used to sell $9,990 hatchbacks, has built an Australian website and social media presence before making a comeback later this year.
The brand told Australian Facebook followers that it will be unveiling a high-tech SUV in the coming months, saying “we will launch the OMODA5 by the end of this year.”
Styled in what the brand describes as a “cyberpunk-inspired two-tone dynamic body”, the Omoda 5 takes on new SUVs like the Nissan Qashqai as well as Honda XP-V.
Prices and specifications of the model are not available.
But foreign examples are equipped with a 150 kW turbocharged engine mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission. An equally powerful electric version with a range of around 450 kilometers is also sold abroad.
The car has a similar dashboard to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, offering two horizontal screens in a long digital readout split into a driver display and a central infotainment panel.
Chinese examples are equipped with driver aids such as radar cruise control and lane keeping assist.
This represents a significant departure from the brand’s original presence in Australia, when features such as stability control were absent from action.
Chery’s local lineup could be complemented by the larger Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 7 SUVs.
There are also rumors that the brand has a double cab pickup truck waiting in the wings, making it a rival to Chinese vehicles such as Great Wall Horse and LDV T60.
Originally published as Chinese car Chery returns to Australia
