Chery to Launch 39 Hybrid Models by 2025 as It Develops Core Hybrid Technologies

Chery to Launch 39 Hybrid Models by 2025

On April 10, Chery Automobile held its Hybrid Night and Open Source Plan launch event in Wuhu, Anhui. Yin Tongyue, Chairman of Chery Holding Group, emphasized the company’s pioneering role in hybrid technology, stating, “Many people know that Chery engines are powerful and have strong export capabilities. However, few realize that Chery was among the first in China to develop hybrid technology. We have the most advanced hybrid technology, the fastest-growing hybrid vehicle segment, and the largest number of hybrid models.”

Chery’s journey in hybrid technology began 24 years ago. In 2001, shortly after obtaining testing certification, Chery established a dedicated team to research hybrid technology. By 2004, they partnered with Ricardo in the UK and FEV in Germany to develop BSG and ISG hybrid systems, sending over 30 engineers to collaborate with them. The debut of Chery’s first generation hybrid A5 during the 2008 Beijing Olympics marked China’s first global showcase of hybrid technology, establishing Chery as the first Chinese automaker to successfully develop a sedan platform hybrid system.

In addition to unveiling the latest global hybrid technology and standards, Chery announced plans to launch 39 hybrid products by 2025. This includes 3 HEVs, 28 PHEVs, and 8 REEVs, with models across various brands: 19 from Chery, 9 from Jietu, 5 from Exeed, 2 from iCAR, and 3 from OMODA/JAECOO, along with 1 from Zhijie.

According to data, Chery Group achieved cumulative vehicle sales of 620,025 in the first quarter of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 17.1%, setting a record for quarterly sales. This includes 590,533 vehicles sold by Chery, a jump of 18.8%, and 163,458 new energy vehicles sold, soaring by 171.8%. Additionally, Chery exported 255,465 vehicles, maintaining its position as China’s top automotive exporter. By the end of March 2025, Chery has over 16.3 million global users, with more than 4.7 million overseas.

Hybrid Technology as a Growth Driver

Yin noted, “Today, we operate in 115 countries, and our hybrid products are increasingly embraced by international users. Models like the Arrizo 8 and Jaecoo 7 have been bestsellers upon their release in developed markets such as the UK, Spain, and Italy, reflecting global recognition of Chery’s hybrid technology for its low energy consumption, high power, and adaptability.” He added that Chery has developed various battery pack options, creating unique hybrid powertrains. “We are not followers; we define our own path. The hybrid segment has become Chery’s largest growth driver internationally.”

Moreover, Yin revealed, “Recently, some century-old overseas automakers have approached us to adopt our hybrid systems on a large scale. We are also planning to develop hybrid engines for F1 racing. I was fascinated by the 1.5L hybrid engine that produces over 1,000 horsepower; we aim to replicate that.” In the domestic market, he stated, “This year will see a full commitment to new energy, with hybrid, extended-range, and pure electric models all thriving. Hybrid technology is the largest growth area domestically. We previously mentioned that Chery’s new energy division would no longer hold back; last year saw some growth, but this year represents Chery’s true ‘unrestrained year.’

Yin added, “People often say that Chery is an engine company disguised as an automaker, but we prefer to be recognized as a company specializing in hybrid engines and powertrains.”

Explaining the importance of hybrid technology, Yin expressed, “As an engineer with a lifetime in the automotive industry, I carry a sense of responsibility. The automotive industry has contributed to civilization but has also led to excessive carbon emissions. We are determined to use Chery’s technological innovations and green development philosophy to create a more sustainable industry and planet. Our commitment to hybrid technology is rooted in this sustainable vision.”

Chery is focused on four key pillars: sustainable green development, affordable pricing for users, reliable safety, and dependable driving range. “To achieve sustainability, affordability, reliability, and peace of mind, we must invest heavily in technology and continue to innovate,” said Yin. The company aims to develop next-generation engines with high thermal efficiency, alongside advancements in electrification, including next-gen drive motors, batteries, packs, BMS, and green energy replenishment technology, while also accelerating research in intelligence, low carbon solutions, globalization, and AI.

Yin emphasized, “Chery is committed to a dual-fuel approach, prioritizing ‘fuel, pure electric, plug-in hybrid, extended-range, and hydrogen’ technologies equally. We believe that innovation is not just about creating something new; continuous breakthroughs in traditional technologies also count as innovation. Based on excellent internal combustion engine technology, we are developing a new generation of hybrid engines, creating a valuable technical route for low carbonization that can easily be promoted in various global markets.”

Building a Comprehensive Approach to Hybrid Technology

Chery has established a comprehensive approach to hybrid technology known as the “Three Horse Carriages.” The first focuses on complete control over core technologies; the second emphasizes safety as a fundamental principle while establishing industry standards; and the third is about collaborating with global partners to build an open-source ecosystem.

Chery’s commitment to technology is evident in its accomplishments, with the Kunpeng powertrain achieving integration across fuel, hybrid, pure electric, and hydrogen technologies. Yin highlighted, “Leveraging our strengths in internal combustion engine technology, we have developed specialized hybrid engines and a 3-speed 11-speed DHT transmission. The Kunpeng Super Hybrid C-DM has won accolades as both ‘Top 10 Chinese Heart’ and ‘Top 10 Global Hybrid’ engine. We not only aim for the best engine technology but also ensure that our drive motors, BMS, and PACK technologies are top-notch. Our goal is for each component to excel individually, resulting in a hybrid system that is a champion overall.”

During the event, Chery’s Vice President Gu Chushan stated that after thorough analysis of global user demands, the company has defined a global standard for good hybrid technology: it must achieve “comprehensive architecture and super performance” while providing users with experiences characterized by high energy efficiency, high performance, high intelligence, high safety, and strong off-road capabilities.

On the energy-saving front, Chery’s new generation hybrid engine boasts a thermal efficiency of 46.5%, paired with a hybrid transmission with 93% overall efficiency, marking a new era of fuel economy. Performance-wise, Chery introduced a 2.0 TGDI hybrid-specific engine and the Kunpeng hybrid DHT230 and DHT280 transmissions, achieving global hybrid power outputs of 280 kW and electric motor speeds of 24,000 rpm.

Yin remarked, “Without intelligence, there is no vehicle production.” Chery’s unique integrated intelligent driving control platform, combined with intelligent motion control and energy management systems, ensures optimal driving dynamics while enabling automated energy management. On the safety front, Chery adheres to global research, standards, and validation, with its integrated technology providing ten layers of safety protection and extensive real-time data diagnostics from five global data centers to safeguard each vehicle.

Additionally, the Kunpeng hybrid offers tailored solutions for off-road enthusiasts with the CDM-O/CEM-O power scheme, allowing for adventurous drives even in the harshest terrains.

In the fiercely competitive new energy era, what defines the best hybrid technology? Li Xueyong, Executive Vice President of Chery Automobile, believes that the best hybrid technology must meet the diverse needs of global users. Through its hybrid technology, Chery aims to provide cost-saving, versatile, off-road capable, and safer solutions across its entire range of vehicle models.

Notably, at the launch event, Chery and the China Automotive Standardization Research Institute jointly released the “Chery Global Hybrid Technology Standard Declaration,” which outlines Chery’s commitment to comprehensive architecture and all-dimensional breakthroughs, defining technology heights based on global demands, and advocating for the establishment of a higher standard within the Chinese hybrid technology community.

Regarding Chery’s open-source hybrid technology, Zhang Guozhong, Executive Vice President of Chery Automobile, stated, “As the first company in the industry to open-source hybrid technology, Chery has innovatively built a comprehensive incubation system focused on ‘open-source collaboration, shared technology development, and joint talent cultivation,’ promoting academic research on automotive hybrid technology and providing fertile ground for technological iteration and innovation.”