China's Chery to loan platform to premium European brand

Chinese carmaker Chery says two premium European brands are vying to use its new electric vehicle (EV) platform, and it’s signing a deal with one of them.

“Two premium European marques want to use our platform and a deal will be signed with one of them, a more premium brand than us,” said Chery chairman Yin Tongyue in remarks reported by Automotive News Europe.

He confirmed the deal will be signed during his trip to Europe, which begins this week.

He also confirmed Chery is also in talks with two other brands over possible “team-ups”.

The Chery chairman didn’t confirm who any of these brands are.

It already has a joint venture with JLR, and builds vehicles like the Jaguar E-Pace and Land Rover Discovery Sport in China for the firm.

Given the chairman was talking at an event promoting a new electric SUV, Chery is expected to loan that model’s E0X electric vehicle platform.

This underpins the company’s latest premium EVs from its premium Exeed brand – marketed under the Sterra sub-brand in China, and set to be called Exlantix models in Europe.

The ES sedan and ET SUV are sized similarly to the Tesla Model S and Model X, and offer dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains, air suspension and 800V electrical systems.

Chery says the ES and ET offer up to 530km of WLTP range.

The ES has a drag coefficient of 0.205, plus claimed energy consumption of as little as 11.7kWh/100km on the more lenient CLTC cycle.

In addition to partnering with European brands, Chery is also looking to start building vehicles in Europe – specifically, in a Barcelona, Spain plant that Nissan shut down in 2021.

Chery isn’t the first Chinese carmaker to give access to its platforms to a European counterpart.

Volkswagen announced last year it would jointly design two EVs with Chinese startup Xpeng, and is expected to use one of that company’s platforms.

Audi has confirmed a partnership with MG and LDV parent company SAIC Motor, with reports suggesting it’ll use an EV platform from the premium IM Motors brand.

Stellantis has also invested €1.5 billion ($2.5 billion) in Chinese carmaker Leapmotor, and will have a 51 per cent stake in a new joint venture firm that will be responsible for the company’s global export and distribution network plus manufacturing operations outside of China.

MORE: Everything Chery