Jetour T-1: Chery sub-brand prepares boxy SUV

Chery’s spin-off brand Jetour is preparing a line of tough-looking SUVs, the first of which will be called the T-1.

The Jetour T-1, seen in branded camouflage, shares a similarly chunky design to the GWM Tank 300 – another Chinese vehicle just launched in Australia – and the Ford Bronco Sport.

According to Chinese auto media reports, the road version is scheduled to premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show in April.

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It will tap into China’s growing appetite for rugged-looking vehicles, which we’re seeing proliferate in different size segments (another recent example is BYD’s Yangwang U8).

Chery has already said that the production Jetour T-1 will be 4.8m long as a five-seater and 5m long as a seven-seater – the length of a Hyundai Santa Fe and Palisade, respectively.

Jetour announced last year that the T line would include four- and six-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engines, as well as PHEV and EV options.

It will have a mechanical all-wheel drive system with a differential lock in petrol forms and a twin-engine all-wheel drive as an electric vehicle.

Interestingly, Jetour says that “pickup truck models” using the same platform will also be launched in the future.

Regarding an Australian launch, Jetour has not commented. The five-year-old brand sells products in the Middle East and South America, so it’s clearly eyeing exports.

Chery is about to relaunch in Australia with the Omoda 5 and has huge plans for expansion. More on that linked below.

MORE: Chery’s Jetour unveils Tank 300-rival TX concept MORE: Chery Australia could have five new models within a year, including electric vehicles! MORE: Chery says Australia is a focus, with priority care – here’s why