Chery’s back with a 10-year engine warranty
The time is ripe for us to bring in a second automotive brand, and we are convinced that Chery Auto now has the right mix of design, features, technology, and pricing in its product line to make a strong impact on the Philippine market
Chery’s back. This time, it’s more than ready to stir the local market anew with a 10-year and one million-km engine warranty.
In a recent ceremony held at Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City, Foton Philippines distributor and manufacturer United Asia Auto Group Inc. (UAAGI) re-introduced the Chinese brand to hundreds of guests, consisting of dealers, partners and the media.
“The time is ripe for us to bring in a second automotive brand, and we are convinced that Chery Auto now has the right mix of design, features, technology, and pricing in its product line to make a strong impact on the Philippine market,” UAAGI president Rommel Sytin shared.
“History and experience are the best teachers, and we have learned a lot from Foton’s success in the Philippine market, as well as where previous efforts to market Chery have failed — and we have taken all that to heart,” he added.
According to him, the brand approached their company two years ago, wherein, admittedly, he was still hesitant to go into business with them then. Only a visit to their headquarters in Wuhu, China made him change his mind.
“Their vehicles, particularly the crossovers, have evolved into truly world class products in terms of design, specifications, workmanship and performance. They are already compliant with Euro 5 and even Euro 6 emissions standards. Their new energy vehicles, mainly the full electric vehicles and their autonomous driving vehicle, are truly state-of-the-art,” he continued.
Fourth coming
This will not be the first time the brand will be brought to our local shores. Its initial attempt in 2007 proved to be unsettling as the Philippine market was not ready for a Chinese brand of its caliber then.
“They have been in this country before — more than 10 years ago. It didn’t work out. The market wasn’t ready then,” he said.
But as years went by, Filipinos eventually saw a resurgence of Chinese automakers entering the local market. To date, just this year, close to half a dozen China auto brands have entered the Philippine market in the last 12 months.
Currently, UAAGI officially becomes the brand’s fourth distributor.
“Now, we are confident.”
Chery on top
Chery Group covers seven industries with total assets exceeding 120 billion CNY and revenues exceeding 100 billion CNY, with automotive as its core business. Last year alone, the brand sold over 750,000 units, a growth of 11 percent compared to the previous year. It has actually been China’s biggest exporter of passenger cars in the last 16 years, with 107, 727 units exported in 2017 and 126,993 units last year, respectively. The company has also already sold over 7.2 million vehicles in over 80 countries and is also the leading manufacturer of hybrid and full electric vehicles, not just in China, but in the world.
Just this August 2019, J.D. Power released a 2019 China Initial Quality Study report wherein the Tiggo 2 ranked number one in the mini SUV segment.
“We are excited to bring in Chery. The new cars possess all the brand values Filipinos now look for and we are convinced that the local market will warmly receive these latest models,” Sytin elated.
To further underscore this confidence in its vehicles, Chery Auto Philippines is actually offering an industry-leading 10-year/one million-km powertrain warranty on top of a five-year general vehicle warranty. Moreover, the carmaker also provides a three-year free preventive maintenance service to its customers.
Four-model launch
Marking its official reentry into the local market are the exciting lineup of Chery models composed of the following crossover SUV range: the Tiggo 2, Tiggo 5X, Tiggo 7 and the seven-seater Tiggo 8. All these models are powered by the modern 1.5-liter inline four fuel-injected DOHC 16-valve Euro 5-compliant petrol engines, with turbocharged versions catered for the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8.
The smallest of the bunch is the Chery Tiggo 2. This mini crossover features a 1.5L gasoline motor paired to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Its engine produces 106 hp and 135 N-m of torque. MacPherson struts in the front and a torsion beam in the rear make up the suspension system. A set of 16-inch wheels with high-profile tires add to its 186 mm of ground clearance. Inside, its manual variants don black with bits of orange accents throughout while its automatic variant gets a mix of blue and black leather upholstery.
Next is the Chery Tiggo 5X crossover SUV which likewise runs on a 1.5L engine, but packs more punch with 114 hp and 141 N-m of torque. Its tranny either comes with a five-speed manual or a CVT unit.
The Chery Tiggo 7 crossover, on the other hand, sports a 1.5L turbocharged engine that produces 145 hp and 210 N-m of torque. This time, it is paired with the brand’s six-speed dual-clutch transmission. On its fours are 18-inch wheels giving it more height and added swagger. Inside, a panoramic sunroof becomes one of its centerpiece together with its faux-leather upholstery.
The biggest among the four is the seven-seater midsize Tiggo 8. It packs a 1.5L turbocharged engine, with the same power output as the Tiggo 7. And as a mere semblance of its sibling, it also rocks the same features, only on a midsize SUV chassis.
Safety-wise, these models feature six airbags, front and rear radar-based driving aids and a full suite of electronic driver-assist systems.
Prices for these models are as follows: Tiggo 2 1.5L 5MT — P695,000; Tiggo 2 1.5L 4AT — P770,000; Tiggo 5X 1.5L 5MT — P818,000; Tiggo 5X 1.5L CVT — P860,000; Tiggo 5X Luxury 1.5L CVT - P950,000; Tiggo 7 1.5L Turbo DCT — P1,195,000; Tiggo 8 Luxury 1.5L Turbo DCT — P1, 280,000 and Tiggo 8 Luxury EX 1.5L Turbo DCT — P1,340,000.
Other models and services
In an interview, Sytin said that they also plan to bring in other models of the brand by next year. And when asked if they would be open to service previous Chery models from its former distributors, he replied: “Yes, we would be happy to do so.”
Their vehicles, particularly the crossovers, have evolved into truly world class products in terms of design, specifications, workmanship and performance