Chery Files Omoda, Jaecoo, Exeed in Canada

Chery Files Three Brands at Once in Canada

Alright folks, buckle up. Chery Automobile just filed not one, not two, but three trademarks with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO): Omoda, Jaecoo, and Exeed. This is the kind of move that says "we're not just testing the waters — we're cannonballing into the lake." Chery is the fourth-largest automaker in China with 1.88 million vehicles sold in 2025, including 530,000 exports. Filing three brands simultaneously is no accident. It is a multi-segment strategy that echoes what Hyundai did when it launched Genesis alongside its mainline brand. The difference? Chery is showing up with a full arsenal on day one. I think it is brilliant, and pretty aggressive for a first-time Canadian entrant.

Omoda: The Compact EV to Watch

Omoda is the brand that'll make the most noise here. The spearhead will be the Omoda E5, a fully electric compact SUV that sells for the equivalent of $28,000 CAD in other markets. With the 100% surtax and import costs, we're probably looking at a Canadian price between $36,990 and $39,990. That is still $3,000 to $6,000 less than the Hyundai Kona Electric. The Omoda E5 runs on a 61.9 kWh battery delivering 430 km of WLTP range, a 204-horsepower motor, and a design that — let's be real — is genuinely good-looking. The interior feels like you're sitting in a $50,000 vehicle. [Updated April 2026] Chinese-built EVs are not eligible for the $5,000 federal EVAP rebate (formerly iZEV, renamed February 2026). In Québec, with the $2,000 Roulez Vert rebate (reduced January 2026, ending December 2026), you could be driving a brand-new Omoda E5 for around $34,990 to $37,990.

Jaecoo: Off-Road SUVs Built for Canada

Jaecoo targets a niche that nobody has really cracked in electric form in Canada: the adventure SUV. Think Subaru Outback but zero-emission. The Jaecoo 6, a compact SUV with all-wheel drive, would be the first model considered. This is the kind of vehicle perfect for Canadians who head to the cottage on weekends or tackle gravel roads in Northern Ontario. Exact specs for the Canadian market aren't confirmed yet, but internationally, the Jaecoo 6 offers a 68 kWh battery, approximately 400 km of range, and 200 mm of ground clearance. With the winters we get in Québec and Alberta, this is the type of vehicle that could convert EV skeptics. The estimated price would be in the $42,000 to $48,000 CAD range.

Exeed: Chery's Premium Play

Exeed is Chery's answer for buyers who want Chinese luxury without the price tag of a BMW or Mercedes. The Exeed Sterra ES, a premium electric SUV, is already a hit in China with its Nappa leather interior, semi-autonomous driving system, and 88.5 kWh battery delivering 560 km of range. The estimated Canadian price? Between $55,000 and $65,000 — roughly $20,000 less than a comparable BMW iX. You can debate Chinese brand perception among Canadian luxury buyers, sure. But when you're saving $20,000, national pride melts pretty fast. Especially in BC and Ontario where the cost of living already eats your budget for breakfast.

Timeline for Canadian Arrival

A trademark filing is not a launch date, let's be real. The CIPO process takes 12 to 18 months for full examination. In parallel, Chery needs to register its vehicles with Transport Canada and complete homologation — another 6 to 12 months. My estimate: the first Chery vehicles in Canada would be realistic for late 2027 or early 2028. That is later than BYD, which is already further along in the process. But Chery has an advantage: they've already conquered demanding markets like Australia, Brazil, and several European countries. Their international after-sales service network is battle-tested. For Canadian consumers, patience could pay off — big time.

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