The local Electric Vehicle (EV) market has added a new product to an already bustling lineup.
Peter and Company last week, with grand fanfare and an excited crowd, officially launched the Chery brand onto the local scene alongside partners Goddard Enterprises Limited (GEL), a Barbados company and Motorworld Group Caribbean headquartered in Sint Maarten.
The Chery Tiggo line, which was introduced, features four impressive SUVs that won car of the year awards in the United Kingdom.
Founded in 1997, Chery Automobile has grown into one of China’s leading automotive manufacturers which is said to be driven by technological innovation, quality and global competitiveness.
Operating in more than 130 countries and regions, Chery has maintained its position as China’s number one auto exporter for a reported 23 consecutive years.
Speaking at the launch, CEO of GEL Auto, Alan Bayne revealed that the St. Lucia launch precedes Chery’s introduction to the Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica markets. “Chery has been exporting vehicles to Latin America and major left hand drive markets for many years. The unique thing about the Caribbean is that we had to wait for Chery to go into major right hand drive markets like South Africa, New Zealand and Australia and the UK. That has been happening over the last 5 year and so it was a matter of timing.”
Chairman of Motorworld Group Caribbean Tariq Amjad says the accolades and awards amassed by Chery is testament to the brands quality and it is for this reason that the company can offer the best warranty in the region. Amjad says St. Lucians should have no concern as it relates to parts and servicing as the requirement for the introduction of the brand to St. Lucia involved the proper training of local technicians and a heavy investment in parts. The Motorworld chairman went on to invite St. Lucians to research the brand.
Over the last few years St. Lucia has seen the introduction of a number of hybrid, hybrid electric and plugin hybrid electric vehicles. The GAC brand was introduced by Peter and company last year. J.Q. Motors recently introduced MG which followed the launching of other major Chinese brands like GWM and BYD.