Chery has launched its QQ3 EV compact electric car in China at a lower-than-expected price, intensifying competition in the country’s fast-growing budget electric vehicle segment.
The QQ3 EV went on sale on Monday with a limited-time starting price of 58,900 yuan ($8,530), below both its earlier pre-sale price and the 65,800 yuan entry price of the A10 model from Leapmotor.
Chery said orders for the new model reached 56,879 units within about two hours of the launch event, though it did not specify whether the figure included pre-orders.
The vehicle is available in four variants, with the top-tier version priced at 78,900 yuan during the promotional period. The QQ3 EV measures 4,195 mm in length, 1,811 mm in width and 1,573 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm, compared with the Leapmotor A10’s slightly longer body but shorter wheelbase.
The model adopts a rear-mounted motor with rear-wheel drive, producing 90 kW of power and 115 Nm of torque. It is equipped with lithium iron phosphate batteries in 29.48 kWh and 41.28 kWh configurations, delivering CLTC ranges of 310 km and 420 km, respectively. Fast charging enables the battery to recharge from 30% to 80% in under 16.5 minutes.
Inside, the QQ3 EV features a 15.6-inch 2.5K central display powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, with selected trims offering the Carmind intelligent agent for voice-based interaction.
Chery’s pricing places the model nearly 10,000 yuan below its Leapmotor rival, underscoring aggressive competition among automakers targeting entry-level EV buyers. While the higher-end Leapmotor A10 includes LiDAR for enhanced driver assistance, the QQ3 EV instead uses Chery’s Falcon 500 system, which supports automated parking across more than 100 scenarios and navigation-assisted driving functions for urban and highway use.
The launch comes as Chery continues to invest in next-generation technologies. At its 2026 “Battery Night” event, the company unveiled its Rhino Battery series, including an all-solid-state battery capable of delivering a driving range of more than 1,500 kilometers. The technology is expected to begin vehicle testing on the Exeed ES8 model next year, with broader validation targeted for 2027.
Chery has also reported strong financial performance. The company said its net income rose 34.6% year-on-year to 19.02 billion yuan in 2025, while revenue increased 11.3% to 300.29 billion yuan. Global vehicle deliveries reached 2.63 million units, up 8% from the previous year, according to its financial report.