Omoda-Jaecoo, what we know about one of the fastest growing car brands

The Italy of the car seen from China?“A wonderful country”.The Chinese giant Chery arrives in Italy.And while Europe rediscovers protectionism, (for now) unknown brands are forming strategic alliances.

Omoda-Jaecoo, does that tell you anything?Probably not, at least not yet.The two names should not be misleading, in reality it is a single automotive brand, albeit with different identities in terms of products, target and positioning.But let's go step by step.Why will we hear more and more about it?First of all, because it is a Chinese car brand.That's right, one of the brands in the galaxy Chery (“the first Chinese automotive group for exports in the world”, explains a note;founded in 1997, with headquarters in Wuhu, a prefecture in the province of Anhui, a center of excellence for robotics, industry and technology, Chery has recently announced its debut on the Italian market with the Omoda-Jaecoo brand.

That China that scares Europe so much, (see the recent duties intended to economically hit the import of electric cars produced in the country), is implementing a series of strategies aimed at "creating local synergies to become a truly European company".Translated, China is gearing up to produce, research and create a local supply chain.We'll see if words are followed by actions.

When Sergio Marchionne thought of Chery producing an Alfa Romeo in China…

A Chinese automotive group that wants to "become an integral part of the local community, doing its utmost to contribute to local social and economic development".In short, more or less the mission that has had in Italy for many years Fiat (and to think that Sergio Marchionne in 2007 he was already thinking about an alliance with Chery, even considering building an Alfa Romeo in China).A plan, what Chery calls "In Europe for Europe", of progressive "Europeanization", in which Italy could have a prominent place, because "it has an incredible automotive history, it is the home of car design and large luxury productions famous throughout the world", he explained Zangshan Zhang, vice president of Chery automobile, who went on to announce that he wanted to progressively consolidate local partnerships, become further rooted, create a "relationship with this wonderful country". Curious, isn't it? That a Chinese company, after having established strategic alliances in every part of the globe, recognizes Italy's excellence of which the European automotive industry (yes, that Europe which raises walls and barriers rather than investing in the electric transition...), she seems to have forgotten.

Omoda-Jaecoo, analysis of one of the fastest growing car brands in the world

Do the Chinese understand?In short, we will have to wait to understand if and how words will also be transformed into facts.In the meantime, however, those announced are numbers and programs that make us think. Omoda-Jaecoo in the first half of 2024 it is expected to be among the fastest growing car brands in the world with an increase of 54 percent compared to the previous year; the Chery group in the first half of the year it achieved sales totaling 1,100,621 vehicles, accompanied by an all-time high of global users which now exceeds 14 million;present in 5 continents;17 factories;beyond 4 thousand dealers partners and more 80 thousand employees all over the world. In Italy we start with a sales and assistance network of over 40 points of sale attributable to around thirty consolidated businesses.Do the Chinese understand?On the other hand, Zangshan Zhang has clear ideas:“To achieve these results, solid foundations are needed and, above all, full awareness that the European customer and the continental economic system are central”.

Omoda 5 EV, the first electric to arrive after the summer

The first model is called Omoda 5 (an SUV currently available only in the endothermic version), with prices starting from 27,900 euros, to which is added the launch (starting from September) of a second model, Jaecoo 7, in petrol versions and plug-in hybrid.Brands and models, Omoda and Jaecoo, intended to have different targets and audiences. The brand's first electric is called Omoda 5 EV, a crossover just over 4 meters long, with a 204 horsepower powertrain powered by a 62 kWh or, alternatively, 41 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.The declared autonomy is 430 kilometers.Prices have not yet been communicated, but they are announced to be competitive as per the brand's policies.