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Chinese Carmakers Geely And Chery To Reach Australia This Year

[caption id="attachment_49429" align="aligncenter" width="555" caption="The Chery A1"][/caption]
FOLLOWING A 2008 announcement that it had secured the rights for the brand’s Australian presence, distributor Ateco is set to bring Chinese carmaker Chery to


[caption id="attachment_49429" align="aligncenter" width="555" caption="The Chery A1"][/caption]

FOLLOWING A 2008 announcement that it had secured the rights for the brand's Australian presence, distributor Ateco is set to bring Chinese carmaker Chery to Australia this year.

Around the same time, Chinese Automotive Distributors, a WA-based outfit, will introduce China's Geely to the Australian market. Both brands follow in the footsteps of Great Wall Motors, which already offers a pair of utes and the X240 SUV locally.

Ateco, which also manages the Great Wall brand locally, plans to launch Chery's A1 light-car in sedan and hatch bodystyles, along with the Tiggo3 compact SUV - known internally at Ateco as the T11. Whether either car will keep their current names in Australia remains to be seen.

Both vehicles have been undergoing Australian Design Rules testing since late last year, with approval expected around May.

[caption id="attachment_49430" align="aligncenter" width="555" caption="Chery's Tiggo3 compact two-wheel-drive SUV"][/caption]

Geely's first Australian offering will be the 1.5 litre MK light car, expected to gain ADR certification in the coming month. The MK will be followed by the larger 1.8 litre Emgrand EC7 small car, and the 1.0 litre Panda city car is also under consideration.

While not available locally, the existence of the 'Panda' name in the Fiat line-up - a brand managed locally by Ateco - mean the Geely Panda is likely to get a new name for Australia.

Ateco's Neville Crichton told GoAuto this week that the Tiggo3 compact SUV, a two-wheel-drive car only, will be offered with a driveaway price under $20,000. The Chery A1 will take on the Hyundai Getz in pricing, but will offer a four-door configuration and a higher specification level.

Great wall isn't to be left out of the regular passenger car game, however, with the 1.5 litre 'Peri' light hatch expected to launch around July.

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