The question of whose brand Cherry car, for several years, haunts Russian motorists, watching the rapid growth of the popularity of Chinese cars. For a long time, the market was mistakenly believed that this is a Japanese brand, and many still look for the roots of the rising sun in the name. But the reality is that Chery Automobile Co., Ltd It is a state-owned corporation based in Wuhu City, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China.
The company was founded in 1997 and since then it has gone from producing budget copies to developing its own world-class platforms. Today it is one of the largest exporters of cars in the world, which is actively developing technologies of electric vehicles and hybrid power plants. Understanding the origin of the brand helps to better appreciate the philosophy of the engineers who build these machines and the expectations of their reliability.
It is important to note at once that Chery (pronounced "Cherry") has nothing to do with cherry, despite the similarity of the spelling with the English word "cherry". The logo of the brand, reminiscent of the letter "A", symbolizes infinity and high aspirations. The company’s official name comes from the English transcription of the Chinese name, meaning “extremely prosperous.” This is a key moment for those who want to understand the nuances of the Asian automotive industry.
History of brand formation and entry into the global market
The company’s history began with a strong government support to create a national automaker capable of competing with Western giants. The first years of its existence were devoted to the setup of production and licensing of technologies, which allowed to produce the first models that meet the basic safety requirements. Gradually, engineers (accumulated) experience, which led to the creation of their own engines series. ACTECO.
Entering the international market was a turning point in the history of the brand. Unlike many competitors, the company has been betting not only on the low price, but also on design, inviting famous European designers to work on the appearance of cars. This has changed the perception of Chinese cars in the eyes of consumers around the world, including Russia, where sales are growing every year.
The current stage of development is characterized by the introduction of advanced technologies and the creation of modular platforms. The brand ceased to be synonymous with a cheap “designer” and turned into a manufacturer of technological crossovers and sedans. Investment in research and development This is a significant part of the budget, which allows the introduction of autonomous driving systems and multimedia complexes of the latest generation.
⚠️ When buying a car with a run of early years of production (until 2015), special attention should be paid to the condition of the body, since the anti-corrosion treatment of the first generations may not be effective enough for harsh winter conditions.
Today, the holding unites several sub-brands, each of which is focused on a specific niche. Exeed It represents the premium segment, Omoda and Jaecoo aimed at youth and active lifestyle, and the main brand Chery It's a mass market. This diversification allows the company to close all price segments of the market.
Popular model ranges: Tiggo and Arrizo
The basis of the model range in Russia and CIS countries is crossover family Tiggo and sedans of the line Arrizo. These cars were created taking into account the preferences of local buyers, offering a spacious interior and rich equipment even in basic configurations. Crossovers have become the locomotive of sales, responding to the trend of increasing ground clearance and versatility.
Linea Tiggo It includes several models with an index of 4 to 8, each of which occupies a niche. The younger models are more compact and maneuverable, while the older versions offer a three-row cabin and powerful engines. sedans ArrizoThe silk-powered cars compete with the popular Class C and D models, offering modern looks and fuel-efficient engines.
- 🚗 Tiggo 4 Pro - compact city crossover, ideal for daily trips in traffic conditions, equipped with a turbocharged 1.5 liter engine.
- 🚙 Tiggo 7 Pro - bestseller of the brand, combining stylish design, technological platform and comfort, comparable to European analogues.
- 🏎️ Arrizo 8 - flagship business-class sedan, surprising with the level of noise insulation and the quality of interior finishing materials.
The company’s engineers are constantly improving the technical characteristics, introducing turbocharged engines with direct fuel injection. The combination of such motors with variators or robotic transmissions allows you to achieve a balance between dynamics and fuel consumption. For Russian conditions, the suspension has been adapted, which has become stiffer and more enduring.
Features of platform architecture
All modern Chery models are built on a modular platform T1X (for SUV) or M1X (for sedans). This allows for the unification of up to 70% of parts, which simplifies the logistics of spare parts and reduces the cost of owning a car in the long run.
Technical features and reliability of units
Technical filling of cars Chery It is of particular interest to experts. Series engines ACTECO The project was developed with the participation of the Austrian company AVL, which guarantees compliance with international environmental standards and high resource. The cylinder block is often made of cast iron, which has a positive effect on repairability and resistance to overheating.
Transmissions are presented by variators of their own production with the imitation of 9 stages, as well as robotic boxes with two clutches. Variators. They are characterized by smooth running, but require regular oil change and careful operation in severe frosts. Robots, by contrast, are more dynamic, but can show small delays when switching in urban mode.
The suspension of cars is set for comfort, but has a margin of safety. In the front part is usually used classic McPherson, and the rear, depending on the model, can be used multi-link scheme or beam. This allows you to ensure good controllability on the road and smooth out the irregularities of the road surface characteristic of regional roads.
| Model | Engine. | Transmission | Driver. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiggo 4 Pro | 1.5 Turbo (147bhp) | CVT variator | Front |
| Tiggo 7 Pro Max | 1.6 Turbo (186bhp) | Robot DCT | Complete. |
| Arrizo 6 | 1.5 Turbo (147bhp) | CVT variator | Front |
| Tiggo 8 Pro | 2.0 Turbo (197bhp) | Robot DCT | Complete. |
⚠️ For turbocharged engines, it is critical to use the octane fuel recommended by the manufacturer (usually AI-95 or AI-98) and let the engine cool after a long drive before jamming.
Electronic vehicle systems, such as ESP, ABS And the lifting assistance systems work correctly and predictably. However, owners should remember that complex electronics require quality maintenance and diagnosis when failures occur. The software is regularly updated by dealers to fix minor bugs.
Equipment and multimedia systems
One of the strengths of the brand is the wealth of equipment even in the starting trim levels. The buyer receives a panoramic roof, leather interior, electric seat drives and climate control for the price, which corresponds to the “empty” base version. This is due to the optimization of production processes in China.
Multimedia systems of the latest models are based on Qualcomm processors and offer performance comparable to smartphones. The screens are high resolution and support wireless integration with smartphones. The voice assistant allows you to control navigation and climate without being distracted from the road, although recognizing Russian may require clear diction.
- 📱 Wireless charging Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support is becoming the standard for most models.
- 🎵 Sony Audio Systems With up to 8 speakers, the sound is high quality in the cabin.
- 🌡️ Climate control with the function of air purification and aromatization creates a comfortable microclimate.
Active safety systems include 3D-projected circular view cameras, which makes parking in crowded conditions much easier. Adaptive cruise control and lane retention systems work effectively on the track, reducing driver fatigue on long journeys. Interfaces The systems are thought out logically, although the first acquaintance with the menu may take some time.
☑️ Checking the completeness before buying
Cost of ownership and maintenance
The issue of ownership costs becomes less and less painful with the growth of the brand’s popularity. The expansion of the dealer network allows you to find service centers even in small cities. Parts for planned maintenance, such as filters and pads, are already produced locally or imported in large batches, which stabilizes prices.
The manufacturer’s warranty obligations are 5 years or 150,000 km of mileage, which is one of the best indicators on the market. This indicates the high confidence of the plant in the quality of its products. The cost of standard-hours at official stations remains competitive compared to European and Japanese brands.
The liquidity of cars in the secondary market is growing as the brand gains credibility. If before Chinese cars lost their value catastrophically quickly, now Chery Keeps the cost fairly confident. Buyers of used equipment are more willing to smack!
They are able to use these options, knowing about the availability of spare parts and service support.
⚠️ Note: When servicing outside of official dealerships, be sure to keep checks and order-outfits indicating the materials used, so as not to lose the warranty in the event of a serious breakdown.
Insurance companies are gradually reducing the rates on the helmet for these cars, as statistics of thefts and accidents become more transparent. Body repairs are also becoming more affordable thanks to the advent of analog parts from third-party manufacturers, although original parts are preferable for maintaining geometry and build quality.
When ordering spare parts through online stores, always check the VIN code of the car, since in different years of release of the same model, mounts and connectors of parts may differ.
Development prospects and environmental technologies
Brand Chery He is actively investing in the development of environmentally friendly vehicles. The company’s plans include a full transition to electric and hybrid production by 2035. There are already versions in the model range. e+, which combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor, providing low fuel consumption.
Technology PHEV (rechargeable hybrid) allow you to travel on electricity up to 100 km without starting the engine, which is ideal for urban conditions. For charging, a standard household network or fast charging stations are used. Batteries pass (strict) safety and durability tests, which is confirmed by international certificates.
The development of L2.5 and L3 autonomous driving systems is also a priority. Cameras, radars and lidars integrated into the bodywork collect data about the surroundings, allowing the car to reconfigure itself and keep its distance. In the future, this will lead to the emergence of fully autonomous taxis under the company’s brand.
Chery is not just a “Chinese automotive industry”, but a global technology player that sets trends in the segment of affordable crossovers and actively introduces “green” technologies.
So, answering the question of whose brand Cherry car, we can say with confidence: it is a modern Chinese brand with the ambitions of a world leader. It offers technologically advanced, safe and comfortable cars that are not much inferior to eminent competitors, and often surpass them in terms of equipment.
Is Chery really a copy of Japanese technology?
At the beginning of its journey, the company used licenses and experience of partners (for example, AVL engines), but has been developing its own products for more than 10 years. The ACTECO engines and the T1X/M1X platform are entirely original designs of Chery engineers, patented and not directly copied from Japanese analogues.
What is the engine life of Chery cars?
With timely maintenance and use of high-quality consumables, the resource of modern turbocharged Chery engines is 250-300 thousand kilometers before major repairs. The key factor is frequent oil change (every 7-8 thousand km) and quality gasoline.
Are there any problems with Chery parts in the regions?
The spare parts situation has improved significantly over the past two years. Consumables (filters, pads, discs) are available at most dealers. Body elements and optics can be ordered from 2 to 4 weeks, but there is no shortage of critical nodes.
Should I buy Chery for driving in the northern regions?
Cars are adapted for cold climates: frost-resistant rubber seals are used, preheaters are often included in the base or are available as an option. However, it is recommended to install additional protection of the crankcase and insulate the battery for a confident start in severe frosts.