Chery has officially confirmed that its lifestyle-oriented electric vehicle (EV) sub-brand, iCar, will expand into the Australian and New Zealand markets in early 2027. To avoid trademark conflicts with Apple, the brand is expected to debut locally under the name iCaur.
This move signals a strategic shift for Chery as it seeks to capture a specific niche in the automotive market: consumers who desire rugged, design-focused off-roaders but want to move away from traditional internal combustion engines.
Addressing “Range Anxiety” with Hybrid Technology
While iCar launched in China as a dedicated EV brand, Chery has recognized that the Australian landscape presents unique challenges. Given the vast distances between major hubs, a pure electric lineup may not meet the needs of all local drivers.
To solve this, Chery plans to lead with Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) technology. Unlike a traditional hybrid, an EREV uses a petrol engine solely as a generator to charge the battery, which then powers the electric motors. This approach aims to provide the driving experience of an EV while significantly mitigating “range anxiety.”
The Expected Lineup: V27 and V25
The cornerstone of the Australian launch is expected to be the iCar V27, a large, boxy SUV that has already made waves at international motor shows.
The iCar V27 at a Glance:
- Powertrain: EREV system featuring a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine acting as a generator.
- Performance: 335kW of power and 505Nm of torque, capable of 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds.
- Range: A 34kWh battery provides roughly 150km of electric-only driving, with a total combined range of up to 995km.
- Dimensions: At over 5 meters long, it is a substantial vehicle, larger than a Land Rover Defender 110.
Following the V27, the brand is expected to introduce the V25, a slightly more compact model (approximately 4800mm in length) that will also utilize EREV technology. There is also potential for the V23 —a compact, Jimny-style boxy SUV—to join the lineup once right-hand drive production is finalized.
A Growing Multi-Brand Strategy
The introduction of iCaur is part of a much broader, aggressive expansion by Chery into the Oceania region. The company is currently building a multi-brand ecosystem designed to target different consumer segments:
- Chery & Omoda Jaecoo: Aiming for mainstream market dominance.
- Lepas & Jetour: Expanding the brand footprint throughout 2025.
- iCaur: Targeting the lifestyle, design-led, and off-road enthusiast markets.
Roadmap to 2027
The rollout will follow a structured timeline:
* Q3 2026: Detailed announcements regarding the local model lineup and dealer network.
* Early 2027: Official brand launch in Australia and New Zealand, coinciding with the start of right-hand drive production for the V27.
“We are trying to make a difference. iCar is a completely different brand for Chery, and in the future, we want to provide a different experience to different customers.” — Zhang Guibing, President of Chery International
Conclusion: By blending rugged, “lifestyle” aesthetics with extended-range technology, Chery is positioning iCaur to compete with both traditional off-roaders and emerging electric rivals, specifically tailored for the long-distance requirements of the Australian market.
