Gasgoo Munich- Chery Group has started 2026 on a strong note, reporting first-quarter sales of 601,712 units, with March sales reaching 240,678 vehicles, up 12.1% year-on-year.Even more striking is its export performance: nearly 150,000 vehicles shipped overseas in March alone, setting a new monthly record for Chinese brands. Total exports for the quarter climbed to 393,311 units, a 53.9% surge from a year earlier.At a time when China's auto market is increasingly defined by intense competition for existing demand, Chery's growth stands out, driven by steady progress in electrification and an expanding global footprint.Exports remain a cornerstone of Chery's performance, and the latest figures reinforce its leadership in overseas markets. The company has now recorded more than 100,000-unit monthly exports for 11 consecutive months. By volume, one in every five Chinese cars sold abroad comes from Chery, highlighting the depth of its international presence built over years of market expansion.Image source: Chery GroupA notable shift is the company's growing traction in highly regulated markets. Chery has now entered 18 European countries, with sales in the UK and EU surging 200% year-on-year in the first two months to 39,135 units. Within that, new energy vehicle sales rose even faster, up 250% to 11,484 units. Electrified models are increasingly central to Chery's push into Europe's more competitive and premium segments.On the electrification front, Chery Group sold 161,202 new energy vehicles in the first quarter, with more than 70,000 units sold in March alone, up 12.8% year-on-year. This steady growth reflects both a broad product rollout across segments and the gradual commercialization of its core technologies, helping the company secure a foothold in the industry's transition toward electrification.Chery's new energy vehicle lineup has rapidly expanded into a full-spectrum portfolio, spanning price points from entry-level to premium and covering everything from compact cars to luxury MPVs. The range now includes microcars, sedans, SUVs, and commercial pickups, allowing the company to address a wide array of use cases and consumer segments.Recent launches highlight this broad-based strategy. The all-new QQ3 secured 56,879 units of orders shortly after its March debut, reaffirming Chery's strength in the entry-level EV segment. The Fulwin T9L attracted 15,829 pre-orders within 24 hours, pointing to solid demand for hybrid offerings. Meanwhile, the iCAR V27 targets family-oriented SUV buyers with a more rugged positioning.In the commercial segment, Chery is also accelerating electrification, with the launch of its first fully electric pickup, the RELY R08 EV, marking a step into a nascent but potentially fast-growing category. This full-category approach is enabling Chery to capture demand across diverse customer groups.Chery has also stepped up its technology investments. At a recent “Battery Night” event, it unveiled the Rhino battery, capable of delivering 500 kilometers of range with just eight minutes of charging and offering a lifespan of up to 5,000 charge cycles.Looking ahead, the company is investing heavily in next-generation battery technologies, including solid-state solutions. It plans to allocate 10 billion yuan to R&D in this area, expand its research team to 1,200 engineers within two years, and begin deploying hybrid solid-liquid batteries in vehicles as early as the fourth quarter of this year.
