Chery Automobile Readies Electric Entre to European Market

Chery Automobile Co. is preparing to enter the European market with an array of electrified models, starting with the Exeed TX small crossover vehicle due a few years from now.

The Chinese company unveiled the TX earlier this week at the Frankfurt auto show. Chery will debut the car in Europe with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, then add all-electric and conventional hybrid variants.

The company says the plug-in, which will combine a 110-hp gasoline engine and 85-kW electric motor, will be able to travel 70 km (44 miles) in electric-only mode. All models will offer such features as all-wheel drive, connectivity, lane departure and blind-spot warning, heated seats and driver fatigue detection.

Chery hopes to slowly expand the Exeed product line and introduce it in multiple overseas markets, perhaps including the U.S.