Chery Auto sold 248,000 units in May 2026, up 20.5% year-over-year. Exports reached 182,000 units, up 80.5% YoY, setting a new monthly export record. NEV sales stood at 100,000 units, up 58.8% YoY. Jan-May cumulative exports reached 753,000 units, up 69.5% YoY. Chery is accelerating global expansion with ICE and NEV dual-wheel drive.
Data Overview: Export Record Shattered Again
Chery Auto delivered a stunning performance in May 2026:
- Total sales: 248,000 units, up 20.5% YoY
- Exports: 182,000 units, up 80.5% YoY, shattering Chery's monthly export record
- NEV sales: 100,000 units, up 58.8% YoY
- Jan-May cumulative exports: 753,000 units, up 69.5% YoY
This means Chery's export volume in the first five months of 2026 has already approached its total annual exports for 2024. At current growth rates, Chery's 2026 full-year exports are projected to exceed 1.8 million units.
Strategic Logic of ICE and NEV Dual-Wheel Drive
Chery's export structure demonstrates a clear dual-wheel drive pattern:
| Powertrain | May Sales (10k units) | YoY | Export Share | Core Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICE | 14.8 | +60% | ~60% | Russia, Middle East, Latin America |
| NEV | 10.0 | +58.8% | ~40% | Europe, Southeast Asia, Central Asia |
The strategic value of this dual layout lies in:
- ICE vehicles: Maintaining advantages in markets with incomplete charging infrastructure, cold climates, and conservative consumer preferences (e.g., Russia, Middle East)
- NEV: Rapid penetration in markets with strict regulations, strong environmental awareness, and favorable subsidy policies (e.g., Europe, Southeast Asia)
- Flexible allocation: Dynamically adjusting export product mix based on policy changes and competitive dynamics in each market
Chery's Global Market Map
Chery's export market distribution shows a diversified pattern, effectively mitigating single-market dependency risks:
- Russia: Chery is among the top-selling Chinese brands, with the Tiggo series consistently ranking high on bestseller lists
- Middle East: Tiggo 8 Pro and Tiggo 7 Pro as core models, strong performance in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iraq
- Latin America: Brazil, Chile, and Mexico emerging as new growth poles, with localized assembly plants gradually coming online
- Europe: Entering with new brands OMODA and JAECOO, targeting youth-oriented design and intelligent configurations
- Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia as key NEV export regions
Procurement Insights for Overseas Buyers
For auto importers and dealers in Central Asia, Russia, and other markets, Chery's data signals multiple implications:
- Supply chain stability: Chery's scaled export capacity means stable production guarantees and delivery cycles
- Product portfolio breadth: From ICE to pure-electric, from compact SUVs to mid-size sedans, Chery's product matrix covers mainstream consumer segments
- After-sales parts support: Global scale brings globalized parts supply chains, reducing overseas repair waiting periods
- Brand premium space: As Chery expands in premium markets like Europe, its brand positioning is upgrading from "value-for-money" to "quality-for-money"
Automotive industry expert Zhao Yang notes: "Chery's export data shows Chinese automakers' globalization has entered the 'scaled profitability' phase. The past was exploratory overseas expansion; now it's strategic expansion. For overseas buyers, this means access to more mature, reliable, and diverse Chinese models."
From a procurement perspective, EX1000.COM recommends Central Asian and Russian buyers focus on: the Tiggo series (ICE, suitable for current market conditions), the OMODA series (youth-oriented design, fitting urban consumer groups), and upcoming pure-electric models entering local markets (medium-to-long-term positioning).
