Chery electric cars may slip into US market by-end 2011

Chery Automobile Co., China's largest domestic auto brand and auto exporter, may launch its electric cars in the United States by the end of 2011, the company said recently.

Through the cooperation with New Enterprise Associates-backed Cybernaut (China) Investment, a venture capital firm, Chery will bring three models of electric cars to the U.S. market for pilot programs.

Cybernaut has invested in new-energy infrastructure in more than 10 provinces in China, exploring business models of new-energy vehicle operation.

"If everything goes smoothly, the trial operation of Chery's S18 electric cars will start in the United States by the end of 2011," said Yuan Tao, general manager of Chery's new energy vehicle branch.

Following BYD Auto, Chery is the second Chinese domestic auto brand to announce plans to enter the U.S. market.

Chery will improve its S18 cars according to the European standards, and Germany will be the company's first destination in Europe, said Yuan.