Chery Auto launches hybrid-car offensive

Shanghai, March 2 (Gasgoo.com) Not long after unveiling its first electric car called the S18, China's Chery Auto said it plans to launch two more hybrid cars this year to tap into the growing hybrid car market, reported Shanghai Securities News.

An unnamed Chery engineer told the newspaper that Chery Auto would launch an A5 hybrid car this year and an A3 hybrid in 2010. Also a Tiggo-based hynrid SUV model and a QQ-based pure electric model are under development though no timeline was set for their launch.

All of the electric motors and hybrid systems on these future models are developed by supplier Ricardo, a world leading automotive consultance firm employing over 1,700 people all around the world.

Chery Auto unveiled a 4-door 5-seat car all electric car on January 20, which has a 93 mile driving range, and a top speed of 75 mph. It uses a 336 40 amp-hour lithium-ion phosphate and has a 40 kw motor.

This makes Chery the 2nd Chinese manufacturer to unveil an electric car after BYD, who unveiled its plug-in hybrid BYD F3DM in December 2008.