Chery Automobile Co. is most likely sending its EVs to Canada, meaning its cost-effective, small vehicles will be closer to the United States than ever before. And this is sure to make some Americans jealous, as the average price of new cars skyrockets nationwide.
For the past year, Chery has been releasing cheap EVs that undercut those from American and European automakers. While some brands are attempting to keep up, most have decided to dramatically pivot their strategies, some abandoning EVs entirely. Meanwhile, surveyed Americans have admitted they would be interested in Chinese EVs, likely enticed by their innovation and pricing. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has continued with its illegal tariffs and ban on Chinese imports.
Canada decided to break up with the United States and pursue China’s cheap EVs. Global Affairs Canada announced in February that 49,000 EVs from China can be imported on a “first-come, first-served” basis over the next year. Many Chinese brands seemed enticed by the invitation, with rumors swirling that Chery had been speaking with Canadians in the auto industry over LinkedIn, allegedly mentioning a possible plant in Canada.
Chery has plans for Canada
Chery currently sells its cars in over 130 countries worldwide, and Canada could be next. While Chery hasn’t explicitly confirmed that it’s adding Canada to its list, it reportedly submitted paperwork last year to register its branches in Canada as trademarks. This includes Jaecoo and Omoda, two vehicles that have been exported to new markets, including Europe. This paperwork is part of Chery’s “future planning,” spokesperson Tianyi Zhang told Automotive News Canada.
On March 10th, Chery gave us more insight into its plans on expanding into Canada. Zhang stated: “Our priority is to ensure that any potential introduction is approached thoughtfully. We have been closely studying the Canadian market and are evaluating a range of potential pathways for future development, including partnerships with local stakeholders.”
Zhang added that Chery could be looking into “established local partners.” However, the carmaker is evaluating several approaches. Unfortunately, Chery hasn’t yet outright confirmed its strategies.
However, Jason Zhao, Director of Asian Market Development at DSMA, told Automotive News Canada that they have been working with Chinese automakers and Canadian dealers, providing them with further insight. According to Zhao, Chery is flexible in terms of its retail model and are “open to all concepts.” He also added that Chery is one of three Chinese automakers expected to start shipping EVs to Canada by the end of this year.
Chery EVs we will likely see in Canada
With Chery not confirming any plans for its Canada expansion, we are also not sure which vehicles will be imported first. However, Chery’s trademarks from late 2025 give some insight.
First is the Jaecoo, an SUV launched in 2023 with export in mind. It blends a rugged exterior with a tech-forward interior, making it seem like a much cheaper alternative to Lucid. The Jaecoo 5 and 6 are the most likely contenders for Canada, being the smaller electric models. The Jaecoo 6 sells for as little as $23,000 but it’s largely found in Southeast Asian countries. The 2026 Jaecoo 5 costs around $36,000 in Australia — this is probably what would be sold in Canada.
Another possibility is the Chery Omoda 5, sold for around $30,000 in Australia. The electric version of this compact crossover SUV includes a 61kWh battery that gets 257 miles. For its low price, the Omoda 5 is pretty packed with tech, including two 10.25-inch screens and advanced safety features like lane departure assist, radar cruise control, and driver monitoring.
Canada may also get the Tiggo line, especially the smaller, cheaper options. The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro is a compact hybrid SUV with a lot of the same tech and features as the Omoda 5. The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is a mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV, featuring a 1.5L turbocharged engine paired with dual electric motors. The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro currently starts at $24,000, and the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro starts at $35,000.
Here are the EVs and hybrids we think BYD will offer.
