Chery’s iCaur EV brand confirmed for New Zealand

Chery Group’s iCaur electric vehicle brand is coming to New Zealand, with a local launch slated for the second half of 2027, a Chery spokesperson has confirmed to EVs and Beyond.

The confirmation follows today’s announcement that iCaur will enter Australia in early 2027, led by the V25 SUV. The New Zealand launch is expected to follow around six months later.

No decision has been made on how the brand will be sold here. The spokesperson said there is no confirmation on the dealership network at this stage, but expects it to follow the same approach as Chery and Omoda Jaecoo, which operate through franchises attached to existing dealer groups.

Founded in 2023, iCaur is Chery Group’s lifestyle-focused new energy brand, built around what it calls a boxy design language. The V25 is its first confirmed model for this part of the world, described in the Australian announcement as developed for customers wanting a vehicle equally at home in the city and beyond the bitumen, with a digital cabin and intelligent driver assistance.

A filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology last month, reported by CarsGuide, shows the V25 is an extended range hybrid rather than a pure EV. Only the electric motors drive the wheels, with a 115kW 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine working as a generator for the 33.68kWh battery, which delivers up to 150km of electric-only running on China’s lenient CLTC cycle.

The same filing puts the V25 at 4,636mm long, 1,920mm wide and 1,855mm tall, with a 28-degree approach angle and 24-degree departure angle.

Two other models sit in iCaur’s Chinese range. The V23 is a battery-electric SUV with a 155kW single motor, a battery of around 82kWh and up to 430km of range, while the larger V27 pairs the extended-range layout with two motors for a combined 335kW and 505Nm.

“Australia is one of Chery Group’s most important international markets, and we’re delighted to introduce iCaur as the next step in our long-term growth strategy,” says Kate Gillis, head of brand for iCaur Australia. “As we continue expanding our portfolio, iCaur will allow us to reach a new generation of buyers who value adventure, individuality and innovation.”

The V25 will be shown publicly for the first time in Australia at Everything Electric Sydney, running 18 to 20 September, with specification, pricing and final launch timing to be announced closer to arrival. EVs and Beyond will be at the show, where we will take a first look at the V25.

iCaur would become the fourth Chery Group sales channel in New Zealand, joining Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo, as the group continues its international expansion.