MILAN, April 21 (Reuters) - China's Chery Automobile is working to expand beyond its SUV-focused range to smaller cars to support its growth in Europe, but platform development has just started and
Chery Eyes European Growth with Plans for Smaller Cars—Launch Timing Uncertain
Chery's Expansion Strategy and Market Focus
MILAN, April 21 (Reuters) - China's Chery Automobile is working to expand beyond its SUV-focused range to smaller cars to support its growth in Europe, but platform development has just started and times remain undisclosed, a top group executive said.
Chery's Brand Portfolio and Recent Developments
Chery, China's largest car exporter, has a portfolio of brands including Chery itself and Omoda and Jaecoo, which are leading the group's growth in the European market.
The Lepas Brand and New Models
The Lepas brand was added last year, with a range now consisting of three SUV models, including the L6 which was unveiled in Europe late on Monday during the Milan Design Week.
Focus on SUVs and Market Gaps
Chery's Head of Engineering, Peter Matkin, said the group had focused on SUVs as those are "what everybody's asking for" both in China and in other global markets where it exports cars.
Identifying Opportunities in the European Market
"Now my constant push ... is that we're missing 50% of the European market because all of our cars are 4.2, 4.3 meters (and) above, and we need to now compete in the below 4 meters," he told media after the presentation.
Plans for a New Vehicle Architecture
Matkin said Chery was looking at developing a new architecture which can support cars below four meters, to come in the future.
"We can't do everything at once, but I can promise you that it will come very, very soon, very, very fast, I mean (we are) daily on this program," he said, adding however he did not know the precise timing. "We just started working on this now".
Production and Partnerships in Europe
Chery - which is already assembling cars in Europe through a joint venture in a former Nissan plant in Spain - is looking to expand production in the region through partnerships with other automakers allowing it to use existing factories.
(Reporting by Giulio PiovaccariEditing by Keith Weir)
