Chery boss confirms iCar brand for Australia

Chery’s iCar brand has been confirmed for launch in Australia, where it will join the Chinese carmaker’s namesake brand, as well as Jaecoo and Omoda.

The news was confirmed Chery International president Zhang Guibling at the recent Shanghai motor show, where the new Chery-owned EV brand presented its three-model lineup comprising the 03, 03T and V23 compact electric SUVs.

While iCar was launched exclusively as an EV brand in China in April 2023, Chery’s export boss indicated that Australia will also receive extended-range electric vehicle (EREV – dubbed by iCar as REV) powertrains, which he acknowledged were more suitable for the longer distance travelled by Australians.

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“iCar launched in China as an EV [brand]. But very quickly we will introduce REVs. The REV will address range anxiety, so I’m sure Australian customers will appreciate it,” said Mr Guibling.

“We are trying to make a difference. iCar is a completely different brand for Chery, and in the future we want to provide a different experience to different customers.”

No local launch timing or model rollout plan was provided for the iCar brand in Australia, but Mr Guibling confirmed EREV development was already underway.

However, iCar will remain a brand name for China’s domestic market only; for export markets including Australia, Chery’s boxy adventure vehicle brand will assume the name iCaur due to a trademark dispute.

It’s unclear whether Australians will be offered all three iCar EVs currently sold in China, all of which borrow their bluff design cues from hardcore off-road icons like the Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender, Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Suzuki Jimny.

The iCar 03 was first to launch in 2023, in both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive forms, offering a CLTC range of up to 501km from CATL battery capacities of up to 69.7kWh, and featuring a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster and solar panels on the roof to increase range.

It has since been rebadged for various markets including Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, with names such as the Jaecoo 6 and Chery J6.

The more rugged, higher-performance iCar 03T followed in 2024, bringing upgraded mechanicals, more overt off-road styling including wider wheel-arches, vertical LED lighting and extra off-road equipment.

The V23 is the newest, smallest and most distinctive member of the iCar family. The compact four-seat electric SUV gains a 15.4-inch touchscreen with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor, advanced driver assist systems, and both DC fast-charging and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality.

Priced from just RMB 99,800 ($A21,425) in China, the retro-styled V23 attracted more than 31,000 pre-orders within hours of its launch in China.

The entry-level version – with a 100kW and 180Nm electric motor, 47.3kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and approximately 301km of driving range on the lenient CLTC cycle – is also available with a slightly larger 59.9kWh battery, capable of delivering about 401km of driving range.

Flagship V23s – powered by a dual-motor powertrain with 155kW and 292Nm, an 81.8kWh NMC battery and 501km of claimed driving range – are priced from RMB139,800 (~A$31,000).

Despite the relatively low outputs, iCar claims single-motor V23s can accelerate from 0-50km/h in 4.8 seconds, while dual-motor versions take 3.5 seconds. 0-100km/h sprint times haven’t been disclosed.

Measuring 4220mm long, 1915mm wide and 1845mm tall on a 2730mm wheelbase, the V23 is larger across every dimension than the Suzuki Jimny XL, and has an approach angle of 43 degrees, a departure angle of 41 degrees and, in all-wheel drive guise, ground clearance of 212mm.

Single-motor versions are fitted with 19-inch wheels as standard, while dual-motor versions get 21-inch alloys. Under the skin there’s five-link rear suspension, while buyers can also option off-road suitable tyres.

In the rear, the two second-row seats can be folded flat, providing up to 774 litres of space.

CarExpert understands Chery Australia has been pushing for iCar’s local launch for some time, following its relaunch as a factory distributor in 2023, when it released the Omoda 5 small SUV.

It was followed by the Tiggo 7 Pro mid-size SUV, and last year the larger Tiggo 8 Pro and the Tiggo 4 Pro light SUV, which has become its top-seller and helped drive a 114 per cent sales increase in 2024.

Chery sales were up a further 216 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, and should continue to increase with the launch of more new models including plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8, plus a plugless hybrid version of the Tiggo 4 with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.

There’s also a premium, three-row Tiggo 9 Hybrid on the way and expected to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2025 – possibly in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.

The latter would offer more performance from the same 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine backed by an electric motor and a larger 18.3kWh battery.