Chery Group reported first-quarter sales of 601,712 vehicles, with March deliveries reaching 240,678 units, up 12.1% year-on-year, supported by strong export demand and continued expansion in electric vehicles.
Exports remained a key growth driver, with nearly 150,000 vehicles shipped overseas in March, marking a monthly record for Chinese brands. Total exports for the quarter rose 53.9% year-on-year to 393,311 units. The company has now exceeded 100,000 monthly exports for 11 consecutive months, accounting for roughly one in five Chinese vehicles sold abroad.
Chery’s international expansion is gaining traction in more regulated markets. The company said it has entered 18 European countries, with sales in the United Kingdom and European Union rising 200% year-on-year in the first two months to 39,135 units. Within that, new energy vehicle sales increased 250% to 11,484 units, reflecting growing demand for electrified models.
Electrification remains a central pillar of Chery’s strategy. The company sold 161,202 new energy vehicles in the first quarter, including more than 70,000 units in March alone, up 12.8% year-on-year. Its lineup now spans multiple segments, from entry-level microcars to premium vehicles and commercial pickups.
Recent launches highlight this approach. The QQ3 secured 56,879 orders shortly after its March debut, while the Fulwin T9L recorded 15,829 pre-orders within 24 hours. The iCAR V27 targets family-oriented SUV buyers, and the RELY R08 EV marks the company’s entry into electric pickups.
Chery is also increasing investment in battery technology. At a recent event, it introduced the Rhino battery, designed to deliver up to 500 km of range with approximately eight minutes of charging and a lifespan of up to 5,000 cycles.
The company’s operational momentum is supported by improving financial performance. In 2025, Chery reported net income of 19.02 billion yuan ($2.77 billion), up 34.6% year-on-year, while revenue rose 11.3% to 300.29 billion yuan. Global deliveries reached 2.63 million vehicles, an increase of 8% compared with 2024.
Chery has also expanded its presence in Europe through research and development. In March, the automaker opened a new R&D centre in Paris focused on developing compact urban vehicles for its Omoda and Jaecoo brands. The facility complements its existing engineering and design centre in Raunheim, Germany, and will support adaptation to European regulations and customer preferences.
Looking ahead, the company plans to invest 10 billion yuan in next-generation battery technologies, including solid-state solutions. It aims to expand its research team to 1,200 engineers within two years and begin deploying hybrid solid-liquid batteries as early as the fourth quarter.
