Chery Determined to Make a Worldwide Name for Itself

WUHU, China — The title of "China's Economic Person of the Year" was bestowed on Chery president Yin Tongyue last year for good reason. The ambitious auto executive outlined some serious targets for this year at a dealer meeting. Chery sold 189,000 cars in 2005, with the popular small QQ accounting for 61 percent of sales. The company aims to sell over 281,000 in 2006 and to introduce nine new models, including the A520 that was shown at Detroit and a companion vehicle known as S21. Among them will be a seven-seat minivan, the size of a Chrysler Voyager, to be launched in March. This one, which had the working title of "B14" but will be called the "V3-series," is powered by a 2.4-liter, six-cylinder engine. It is reportedly destined for the North American market. There will also be a mini MPV to be introduced in July and the successor to the QQ, which comes out in October. A light commercial vehicle of the type that is hugely popular in Europe will be another of Chery's future products. It bears the working name of "A18." This type of vehicle is less well-known in China, but local production of the Volkswagen Caddy should change that. More details about these and other new models are sure to come soon. What this means to you: Look closely and you will see the start of a new chapter in the global auto industry.

Tags: china auto