CHERY Models & Brand History

Chery might be one of the world's largest Chinese automakers today, but its story began far more modestly in the late 1990s.

The brand was founded in 1997 in the city of Wuhu, Anhui Province, at a time when China's automotive industry was just beginning to accelerate. Its first engines were built in 1999, and soon after that, the company produced its first car, the Fengyun (known internationally as the Fulwin A11). It was a simple, locally engineered sedan, but it marked the moment Chery transitioned from an ambitious regional project into a real manufacturer.

In the early 2000s, Chery moved faster than almost anyone expected. Unlike most of the other Chinese brands, Chery focused on external markets, and in 2001, it became the first automaker to export vehicles in significant numbers to other countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. This bold move quickly transformed Chery into one of China's most recognizable export brands. Europe wasn't ready to receive them, but things started to change slowly.

After its rapid expansion, Chery invested in its own R&D center and started designing engines, transmissions, and other crucial components for its vehicles. Furthermore, it developed a family of engines and soon became a supplier for other Chinese brands. That achievement helped Chery shed the "budget-only" image and allowed it to expand its model lineup.

In 2010, Chery went global after it launched the Tiggo SUV family, which became its most successful international product. It adopted the strategy of quickly updating models and lineups, which led to a fast evolution. Furthermore, by opening design and engineering centers in other countries and working with international teams, it understood what customers wanted the most. At the same time, Chery began investing heavily in electrification and hybrid systems, anticipating China's move toward new-energy vehicles. Its EV sub-brands and partnerships helped shape the company's next chapter.

By the late 2010s, Chery had assembly plants operating through CKD and SKD agreements in multiple regions and was selling hundreds of thousands of vehicles annually outside China. It became a symbol of China's ability to evolve from low-cost production to advanced automotive development. What started as a regional project in Anhui grew into a global automaker with a footprint across dozens of markets.

What started as a small car manufacturer became a global force. Furthermore, it created several other subbrands such as Jaecoo, Omoda, Jetour, and Exeed, among others. Its evolution reflects both China's automotive ambitions and the brand's own determination to become a modern competitor on the global stage.