Chinese automaker Chery Automobile has signalled ambitions to enter the US market but committed to no timeline, citing readiness and policy conditions as key factors.
Zhang Guibing, president of Chery International, told reporters at the company’s headquarters, acknowledging the appeal of the American market while tempering expectations of an imminent move.
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“When we find a good and suitable time in the future, we definitely hope to enter it,” Zhang was quoted by Reuters as saying.
Zhang indicated that any decision would hinge on Chery’s own operational preparedness alongside the regulatory environment governing the automotive sector in both countries.
The US market remains a formidable challenge for Chinese manufacturers.
Chinese-made electric vehicles face 100% import tariffs, compounded by restrictions on connected-car technology of Chinese origin and increasing legislative scrutiny of the sector.
Chery has yet to include the US among its export destinations, concentrating its international efforts on Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and South-East Asia.
The company’s comments come as several Chinese automakers assess potential routes into North America.
Geely-owned Volvo Cars already operates a manufacturing facility in South Carolina, while BYD, Chery, Geely and Great Wall Motor have variously explored or expanded their presence in Mexico and Latin America – markets widely regarded as possible staging grounds for broader North American access.
US President Donald Trump has signalled openness to Chinese automakers establishing manufacturing operations on American soil, though industry bodies and lawmakers have pushed back against opening the market to Chinese-built vehicles.
Separately, Chery last week announced a partnership with Japanese automotive retailer Autobacs Seven, targeting the launch of a new battery EV brand in Japan in 2027.
The two companies, alongside other shareholders including Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech, have established a Yokohama-based joint venture called EMT (Electric Mobility Technology).
