In a significant move set to reshape Australia’s automotive landscape, Chinese manufacturer Chery has officially unveiled its cutting-edge Super Hybrid Platform. This groundbreaking technology, scheduled to hit Australian shores in July 2025, represents a major leap forward in hybrid automotive engineering and positions Chery as a serious competitor in Australia’s rapidly growing electrified vehicle market.
Revolutionary Technology Meets Australian Roads
Australians have embraced hybrid vehicles with increasing enthusiasm over recent years, with sales figures showing traditional hybrids up by almost 35% and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales skyrocketing by more than 280% in early 2025. Chery’s strategic entry into this booming segment comes at the perfect time, offering Australian drivers innovative hybrid technology at competitive price points.
The Super Hybrid Platform, internally designated as CSH (Chery Super Hybrid), represents the culmination of over two decades of research and development. This isn’t merely an adaptation of existing technology but rather a complete ground-up reimagining of what a hybrid powertrain can achieve. Chery began its hybrid journey back in 2001 when many manufacturers were still focused exclusively on conventional combustion engines, giving them a substantial head start in developing these sophisticated systems.
“We’ve been refining our hybrid technology for over 20 years,” said a Chery Australia representative. “The Super Hybrid Platform represents the highest end and most advanced hybrid technology available today. We’re incredibly excited to bring this to Australian drivers who value both performance and sustainability.”
Technical Excellence Under the Bonnet
What makes Chery’s Super Hybrid Platform truly exceptional is the remarkable engineering achievements it embodies. The system pairs a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, dedicated hybrid transmission, and an 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate blade battery. This sophisticated combination delivers astonishing performance figures that put many larger engines to shame.
While specific Australian output figures remain under wraps until the official launch, the related Jaecoo J7 SHS (which uses the identical drivetrain) produces a combined 255kW of power and 525Nm of torque – numbers that rival many six-cylinder petrol engines. Even more impressive is the petrol engine’s thermal efficiency rating of 44.5%, which Chery claims is industry-leading, alongside transmission efficiency of 98.5%.
Australian drivers will particularly appreciate the platform’s practical advantages. According to Chery, vehicles built on this platform will travel over 90km on electric power alone – enough to cover most daily commutes without using a drop of petrol. The total driving range extends beyond an impressive 1,200km, making these vehicles ideal for Australia’s vast distances. Additionally, fast-charging capability means the battery can go from 30% to 80% charge in just 19 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger.
The platform also incorporates an innovative “magnetic levitation” suspension system with adjustable dampers, which Chery claims increases comfort levels by 30%. This adaptive suspension can be switched between different settings for a softer or firmer ride, depending on road conditions and driver preference – a feature that will be particularly valuable on Australia’s diverse road surfaces, from smooth highways to rough outback tracks.
Australian Market Strategy: Comprehensive Range
Chery has confirmed that its first Super Hybrid models in Australia will be plug-in hybrid versions of the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 SUVs, arriving in July. These will be joined later by a hybrid version of the smaller Tiggo 4, which is expected to become Australia’s most affordable hybrid vehicle. The current petrol-powered Tiggo 4 starts at $23,990 drive-away, suggesting the hybrid variant could challenge the MG 3 Hybrid+ Excite’s position as Australia’s budget hybrid champion at $28,990 drive-away.
Lucas Harris, Chery Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, has reassured potential buyers that the hybrid variants won’t come with an “exorbitant” premium over their petrol counterparts. This pricing strategy could disrupt the market considerably, bringing advanced hybrid technology within reach of more Australian consumers than ever before.
The introduction of these hybrid models follows Chery’s successful re-launch in Australia with the Omoda 5, which has helped the brand outperform established names like Jeep and Renault in sales volume during 2024. With Australia identified as a priority market, Chery is receiving preferential treatment in terms of production allocation and shipping, highlighting the importance of the Australian market to Chery’s global ambitions.
“Australia really is a litmus test for the brand,” explained James Curtis, Chery Australia’s Marketing Director. “If it’s successful, Chery will rise to becoming a truly global company. We’re getting priority shipment, we’re getting priority production; everyone is watching us.”
A Platform for the Future
Beyond the initial models, Chery’s commitment to hybrid technology is substantial. The company recently announced plans to launch 19 new hybrid models globally in 2025 alone. These will encompass traditional series-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and extended-range electric vehicle powertrains, providing a range of options to suit different driving needs and preferences.
The Super Hybrid technology will expand across multiple platforms, including the Super Hybrid Off-road Platform (designed for more rugged applications), the Super Golden Extended-Range Platform, the High-performance Electric platform, and the core Super Hybrid platform. This approach ensures Chery can target various market segments while maintaining the core technological advantages of their hybrid systems.
For Australian buyers interested in technology, the Super Hybrid Platform doesn’t stop at powertrain innovations. Vehicles based on this platform will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 CPU, supporting 5G connectivity and gigabit Ethernet. This advanced processing power enables sophisticated driver assistance systems and features like large touchscreen displays and augmented reality head-up displays in higher-spec models.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
The environmental credentials of Chery’s Super Hybrid Platform are particularly impressive. With fuel consumption reportedly as low as 2-3 litres per 100km, these vehicles are among the most efficient petrol-electric hybrids available. This exceptional efficiency translates to reduced emissions and significantly lower running costs – a compelling combination for Australian consumers faced with fluctuating fuel prices.
Chery’s Chairman has emphasized that the company’s hybrid philosophy centers on four core goals: environmentally friendly development, affordability, safety, and dependable driving range. This balanced approach recognizes that sustainable transportation needs to be accessible to be truly effective, rather than remaining a premium option for the wealthy few.
The platform has also been designed with safety as a priority, targeting five-star safety ratings in Europe and Australia. Models built on this platform will offer up to 10 airbags and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, ensuring they meet the high safety standards that Australian consumers expect.
Market Position and Competition
Chery’s hybrid offensive comes at a time when the Australian market is seeing something of a shift. While pure electric vehicle sales continue to grow, many consumers are expressing preference for hybrid technology as a more practical stepping stone to electrification. Hybrids offer the reduced emissions and lower running costs of electrification without the range anxiety or charging infrastructure limitations that can be concerns with full electric vehicles.
The Tiggo range with Super Hybrid technology will compete with established hybrid models from Japanese and Korean manufacturers, but with potentially more aggressive pricing and more advanced technology. The Tiggo 7 PHEV, for instance, will challenge models like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, while offering comparable electric range and potentially more power at a lower price point.
Chinese manufacturers have been gaining significant market share in Australia recently, with GWM/Haval and MG already establishing strong positions. Chery’s ambitious strategy and focus on hybrid technology could see them rise to similar prominence, particularly if they can maintain competitive pricing while offering superior technology.
The Broader Context: Chery’s Australian Ambitions
Chery’s hybrid push forms part of a comprehensive strategy to establish a strong presence in Australia. In addition to the Chery-branded vehicles, the company is launching its upmarket Jaecoo brand in the first quarter of 2025, starting with the boxy mid-sized J7 which will also feature the Super Hybrid system.
Chery sees Australia as a strategic market and is targeting approximately 8% market share in each segment it competes in. For context, that would translate to around 10,000 annual sales in the small SUV segment alone – a significant volume that would place Chery among the top-selling brands in the country.
The company’s commitment to offering multiple powertrain options – conventional petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and eventually full electric – gives it flexibility to adapt to market preferences. As Lucas Harris put it, “We want customers to walk into a Chery showroom and if an EV is the most suitable thing for them, great, they can buy an EV. If an ICE car is the most suitable thing, great, they can have one of those, or maybe it’s a plug-in hybrid.”
Looking Ahead: What to Expect
As the July launch date approaches, Chery Australia is expected to reveal full specifications and pricing details for the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid models. If the company maintains its strategy of aggressive pricing, these vehicles could significantly disrupt the Australian hybrid market.
The smaller Tiggo 4 hybrid, due around mid-2025, has the potential to make an even bigger impact if it becomes Australia’s most affordable hybrid. This would be a significant milestone in making electrified vehicles accessible to more Australians.
For consumers interested in advanced hybrid technology but deterred by the premium prices often associated with it, Chery’s Super Hybrid Platform vehicles present an intriguing proposition. They combine cutting-edge technology, impressive performance and efficiency, and reasonable pricing – a combination that could prove irresistible to many Australian buyers.
As one automotive analyst noted, “What we’re seeing from Chery is exactly what happened with Korean brands like Hyundai and Kia a decade ago – they’re bringing premium technology at mainstream prices, and that’s a formula that tends to resonate strongly with Australian consumers.”
With its bold hybrid strategy and strong commitment to the Australian market, Chery is positioning itself not just as another Chinese brand making inroads into Australia, but as a serious technological innovator with the potential to reshape the market. As July approaches, all eyes will be on the official launch of the Super Hybrid Platform vehicles and the impact they make on Australia’s automotive landscape.
The Bottom Line
Chery’s Super Hybrid Platform represents a significant technological achievement and a major investment in the Australian market. By prioritizing efficiency, performance, and affordability, Chery has created a compelling proposition for Australian consumers looking to reduce their environmental impact and fuel costs without compromising on driving experience.
Whether the Chinese manufacturer can successfully challenge established players remains to be seen, but the combination of advanced technology, competitive pricing, and strong commitment to the Australian market suggests that Chery’s hybrid offensive could be a game-changer. For Australian drivers, this means more choices, better technology, and potentially more affordable access to advanced hybrid vehicles – outcomes that benefit both consumers and the environment.
As Australia continues its gradual transition toward electrified transportation, innovative approaches like Chery’s Super Hybrid Platform will play an increasingly important role. By bridging the gap between conventional vehicles and full electrics, these advanced hybrids offer a practical pathway to a more sustainable automotive future – one that appears increasingly accessible thanks to manufacturers like Chery who are willing to challenge conventions and push technological boundaries.