Chery tops 943,000 exports in H1 as iCAUR expands globally

Chery Group posted record first-half sales and exports in 2026, while its iCAUR NEV brand pushed into more than 40 markets with new products, awards and showrooms. The momentum signals faster global expansion for one of China’s biggest auto groups and a bigger role for new-energy vehicles in its growth.

Why it matters: - Chery Group’s first-half results show how fast China’s auto exports and electrification are scaling. - The company’s overseas shipments crossed a symbolic threshold, while NEV sales kept rising at a double-digit pace. - iCAUR is emerging as a key growth engine for Chery Group’s global new-energy push.

What happened: - Chery Group said January-to-June sales reached 1,357,533 vehicles, a record high. - NEV sales totaled 475,238 units in H1, up 32.3% year over year. - Monthly NEV sales stayed above 100,000 units for three straight months. - Overseas deliveries reached 943,817 vehicles in H1, up 71.5% from a year earlier. - The export total marked the first time a Chinese automaker shipped more than 900,000 vehicles in a single half-year. - iCAUR, Chery Group’s strategic NEV brand, contributed to the sales growth through its V27 and V23 lineup.

The details: - The V27, iCAUR’s first global flagship model with the Golden REEV range-extended system, entered production early in 2026. - The V27 rolled off the line at Chery’s Wuhu Super Factory in January. - The V27 made its world debut in Dubai in February and quickly became one of the most anticipated new-energy boxy SUVs in the Middle East and Gulf region. - A right-hand-drive version of the V27 appeared at Auto China in April, setting up market entry into Southeast Asia and Oceania. - The V23, iCAUR’s first battery-electric boxy SUV, picked up three awards at its debut at the Indonesia International Motor Show in February. - In Thailand, the V23 won “Best Compact Electric SUV” and “Best Boxy Design Award” at the 2026 Car of the Year awards. - In March, the V23 led the midsize battery-electric SUV segment in J.D. Power’s China NEV Product Appeal Index. - The V23 also received the Red Dot Award: Design Concept. - iCAUR’s sales network now covers more than 40 countries and regions. - In the Middle East, test-drive events in Riyadh and Jeddah helped build traction for the V27. - New showrooms opened in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Qatar in June. - The V23 led Thailand’s boxy SUV sales charts and became Hong Kong’s best-selling vehicle across all segments and powertrains in June. - The V23 launched in South Africa in May and generated more than 300 orders in its first month. - iCAUR plans to introduce the V27 to European markets with high regulatory standards within the year. - The V27’s Golden REEV system uses a 1.5T range-extender engine with thermal efficiency up to 44.5%. - The system generates 3.71 kWh of electricity from 1 liter of fuel, provides more than 150 km of battery-electric range and delivers a combined range above 1,000 km. - During the “Golden REEV Classic Journey” in April, the V27 traveled 160 km from Hefei to Wuhu across city roads, highways and campsite V2L scenarios. - The i-AWD system was tested at the Wuhu Longshan Off-Road Base across wave roads, steep humps, muddy slopes and water crossings. - The AWD setup uses intelligent torque distribution and 8+X driving modes.

Between the lines: - Chery Group is pairing volume growth with a faster push into higher-value NEV products and overseas markets. - iCAUR’s rollout suggests Chery wants a brand that can compete on design, technology and lifestyle appeal, not just price. - The company is also using events, awards and user communities to build brand recognition in markets where Chinese automakers still need trust and visibility.

What's next: - iCAUR will keep expanding in Europe and South Africa in the second half of 2026. - The V27’s European launch will be a key test in markets with stricter rules and stronger competition. - The brand is building a global i-CLUB user community and continuing the “Ride to Cheer” campaign across multiple countries. - Chery Group is likely to lean further on iCAUR as it pursues new-energy transformation and broader global growth.

The bottom line: - Chery Group is turning export scale into a platform for NEV expansion, and iCAUR is becoming one of the clearest signs of that strategy in action.