Chery is rapidly strengthening its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing car brands, with the Chinese automotive giant posting record-breaking sales in April 2026 while significantly increasing investment in research and development.
The company’s latest results highlight not only strong global demand, including growing success in Australia, but also its aggressive push into electrification, intelligent driving systems, hybrid technology and advanced energy solutions.
Chery Australia is a Chinese state-owned auto brand. Chery Tiggo 4 was the carmaker’s best-selling model Down Under in April 2026 (2,379 deliveries) and was the 4th best-selling car overall.
Chery registered record global sales for April 2026
Chery Group delivered a record 251,400 vehicles worldwide in April 2026, up 25.2% year-on-year. The result cements Chery as the second-largest Chinese automotive brand by delivery volume.
Electrified car models were a major growth driver for Chery. 100,300 new energy vehicles (NEVs) were delivered (+63.8% YoY).
International demand also surged as it delivered 177,600 exports (+102.4% YoY). That figure also marks a new monthly export record for Chinese vehicle deliveries.
The strong export growth reflects rising demand in overseas markets, including Australia, where Chery continues expanding its model range and dealer footprint.
Chery increases R&D spending by over 25%
Chery’s continued investment in technology and long-term development is its major growth driver.
According to Chery Auto’s first-quarter 2026 financial report:
- Revenue reached 65.87 billion yuan (approximately $13.37 billion AUD)
- Gross profit totalled 10.564 billion yuan (around $2.14 billion AUD)
- Gross profit rose 24.91% YoY
- Gross profit margin improved to 16.04%
R&D spending outpaces profit growth
Most notably, Chery spent 2.85 billion yuan (approximately $578 million AUD) on R&D in the first quarter alone, up 25.44% YoY.
R&D investment is now growing faster than gross profit, showing the company is prioritising long-term innovation rather than simply maximising short-term earnings.
Chery says this continued investment is central to driving “high-quality development” as competition intensifies globally.
Also read: Chery strengthens European footprint with Barcelona operations hub
Showcasing future technology at the Beijing Auto Show 2026
Chery used the 2026 Beijing Auto Show to demonstrate just how aggressively it is pushing into next-generation vehicle technology. The company displayed 57 vehicle models (like Tiggo V SUV) alongside 31 new technology innovations.
Some of the standout developments included:
- KunPeng Sky Optimus engine with a claimed thermal efficiency of up to 48.57%.
- Rhino battery
- Lingxi Intelligent Cockpit
- Falcon Smart Driving System 900 Robocar
- Feiyu Digital Intelligent Chassis i
- DHT360 continuously variable super hybrid system
- GAIA platform
Major partnerships signed with global tech giants
Chery also signed strategic cooperation agreements with five major global technology companies during the Beijing Auto Show: NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Bosch, Volcengine, and CATL.
Areas of collaboration include physical AI, intelligent driving systems, smart cockpits, cockpit-driving integration, robotics, 48V vehicle architectures, and renewable energy technologies.
Chery also unveiled several world-first technologies
The company claims several major global firsts were also presented at the auto show, including:
- The world’s first vehicle-level 48V low-voltage platform
- The world’s first AiMOGA Robotics system to pass EU hardware and software certification
- A globally premiered ammonia-fuelled SOFC power generation system. Designed as an E-fuel power generation solution
Chery now holds more than 400 core technologies
Supporting this rapid business development is Chery’s growing research infrastructure. Using its Yaoguang+ Kaiyang laboratory cluster, the company says it now holds more than 400 core technology reserves.
Chery has also maintained the number one ranking in Anhui Province for invention patents for 12 consecutive years. Its innovation growth accelerated sharply in 2025. Invention patent applications increased nearly 50% YoY. Granted patents rose by more than 300%.
The company says this demonstrates the growing strength of its independent engineering and innovation capability.
Also read: Top 10 Best-selling Chinese cars in Australia for 2025
What this means for Australian car buyers
Chery’s latest announcement signals that the brand is no longer simply competing on affordability alone in Australia.
The company is now heavily investing in hybrid technology, EV development, autonomous driving, smart cabin systems, and advanced safety and energy platforms.
Combined with rapidly growing export numbers and expanding local operations, Chery is positioning itself as a long-term global automotive player rather than just another emerging Chinese brand (see the list).
And with Australian buyers increasingly embracing electrified vehicles and technology-focused SUVs, Chery’s expanding R&D investment suggests the brand plans to compete much more aggressively locally in the years ahead.
Comments
New Comment