Omoda & Jaecoo Turn 3: Chery's Fastest-Growing Brands Set Sights on Canada

The Fastest Success Story in the Auto Industry

Omoda and Jaecoo, Chery's two newest sub-brands, just celebrated their third anniversary with impressive numbers: presence in 45 markets worldwide and over 700,000 vehicles sold. To put that in perspective, it took Kia 10 years and Hyundai 12 years to achieve this level of international penetration.

This success rests on a clear strategy: Omoda targets trendy young urbanites with boldly designed compact SUVs, while Jaecoo positions itself as the adventure and off-road brand. Both brands share Chery's modular platform but have distinct identities — exactly like Toyota and Lexus, or Volkswagen and Audi.

The Models That Could Come to Canada

Omoda E5 — The Electric Compact SUV

The Omoda E5 is the brand's electric spearhead. It is a compact SUV that directly rivals the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV, but at a significantly lower price.

The Omoda E5's design is its secret weapon. Where most Chinese EVs have a conservative look, the E5 dares with angular lines, aggressive LED lighting, and a two-tone interior that leaves no one indifferent.

Jaecoo J7 — The Adventure Plug-In Hybrid SUV

The Jaecoo J7 is a mid-size SUV targeting the "outdoor lifestyle" niche. With standard all-wheel drive and an off-road mode, it rivals the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Ford Escape PHEV.

The Jaecoo J7 could be the first Chery vehicle sold in Canada if plug-in hybrid versions are prioritized for homologation (they are sometimes faster to certify than full electrics).

Chery's Canadian Distribution Strategy

Unlike BYD, which targets large dealership groups, Chery is taking a more flexible approach. The company is open to working with:

• Independent dealerships looking to diversify their offerings
• Multi-brand groups seeking an additional brand
• Automotive entrepreneurs wanting to launch a new sales point

This flexibility is an advantage. It allows Chery to cover Canadian territory more quickly, including mid-sized cities that BYD might overlook in its first phase.

Are Chery Brands Preparing Their Models?

Chery has already filed trademarks for Omoda, Jaecoo, and Exeed in Canada. Intellectual property documents show the company has been actively protecting its brand names on Canadian territory since mid-2025.

The Transport Canada registration process is underway. If everything proceeds on schedule, the first Chery vehicles could arrive in Canada in Q2 2027, approximately six months after BYD.

To learn more about Chery's Canadian brands, see our article on Chery trademarks. To compare Chinese EVs against each other, read our Chinese vs Korean EV comparison.

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