Chery makes UK debut with bold SUV-driven growth plans

Chery officially signalled its entry into the UK with a London launch event last week where it stressed the importance of the national market as a growth destination for the Chinese carmaker.

Chery UK said it plans to open with 25 franchised dealerships with plans to expand to 100 outlets by 2026. Many of these are expected to be existing retailers of sister brands Omoda and Jaecoo.

The strategy mirrors the rapid rise of its sister brands Omoda and Jaecoo, which together secured a 2.71% market share in just 12 months, outperforming several established mainstream rivals earlier this year. The marques sold 8,815 and 10,314 cars respectively in the first seven months of 2025 alone.

At launch, customers in the UK will be offered the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 SUVs, available as conventional petrol models or with Chery’s ‘Super’ hybrid system. Both will be joined within six months by the Tiggo 4 (pictured below) and Tiggo 9 (pictured right), constituting a family of four SUVs aimed squarely at mainstream buyers.

Tiggo 7, Chery’s global bestseller, will rival popular models such as the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage, while the larger Tiggo 8 will offers a seven-seat option.

Prices start from £24,995 for the Tiggo 7 and £28,545 for the Tiggo 8, with hybrid versions costing more. Every car comes with a seven-year warranty and RAC roadside assistance for the first three years, with DHL and Thatcham supporting parts supply and insurer confidence.

Gary Lan, CEO of Chery UK, said: “The UK is a crucial market for Chery, and today marks the beginning of an exciting journey for us here. We’re bringing a dynamic range of vehicles that combine advanced technology, safety, and innovative features - all at an accessible price point. With our full SUV line-up now confirmed, we’re ready to establish Chery as a clever, confident and happy choice for UK households.”

Chery UK cars are engineered for European markets at the brand’s Frankfurt technical centre, with plans already in place for a UK-based R&D hub to support long-term growth.

The focus, said Lan, is on “conventional family buyers” - positioning Chery as the dependable, volume-focused core brand within the group, complementing the more design-led Omoda and the rugged Jaecoo.