China's Chery Automobile Co Potentially Evaluating India Entry, as Patent Filings Emerge

Chery Automobile Co Ltd, China’s fourth-largest carmaker, could be the next major international company to launch in India. Recent filings with the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) have surfaced online, indicating that Chery filed at least 10 design patents in India for a variety of vehicle models and types between April and June this year. The intellectual property claims come under the purview of India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, in turn under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 

While the applications themselves do not contain any names or specifications, the representative images show which models we can expect to see if Chery does launch here.

The most recent entry shows the company’s Arrizo 8 sedan. Powered by a 1.6-litre or 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 7-speed DCT automatic transmission, it produces up to 241 hp and 390 Nm of torque.  At 4757m in length with a 2770mm wheelbase, it would target the more premium end of the market, as its tagline “upper class business life” in China suggests. Features and specifications include “VIP welcome lights”, 18 ADAS functions, a 24.6-inch “duplex” screen, 540-degree surround view, and a 50W wireless phone charging pad.

The filings also show that Chery could bring its top-end Tiggo 8 SUV here. At 4,696mm long and with six- or seven-seat configurations, it would also target premium buyers. Internationally, it is available with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, and also in a PHEV variant. Owners get six driving modes, four-wheel drive, a 7-speed DCT, 12-speaker audio system, 15.6-inch central display, 540-degree surround view, multicolour ambient lighting, and a multilingual voice assistant. The Tiggo 8 is equipped with 19 ADAS functions, an integrated dashcam, and 10 airbags. 

Chery was recently in the news as a potential partner for JSW as it aims to launch its own brand of cars in India, alongside its JSW MG Motor India joint venture with China’s SAIC. However, the deal is expected to take the form of a licensing agreement for technology and platforms, rather than a similar joint venture. These filings could be intended to protect the company’s intellectual property here. Chery had also reportedly explored a potential tieup with Tata Motors as far back as 2019, which did not come to pass.

As one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets for passenger cars, India would be a logical target for expansion. However, political and economic relations between India and China have been lukewarm at best over the past few years. Other Chinese automotive majors have struggled to gain a foothold here, with BYD unable to clear hurdles to set up its own manufacturing plant and MG (under SAIC) planning to reduce its stake in its joint venture with JSW in India.

Meanwhile, Stellantis is also working to bring Leapmotor, its Chinese EV brand, to India in the near future.