Chery’s Omoda and Jaecoo target Portugal as Europe electrification push challenges BYD

Keeping track of them on your fingers is getting harder. More and more Chinese carmakers are widening their reach into Portugal, and this year two further names will be added: Omoda and Jaecoo, both operating under Chery Automobile.

Both brands entered Europe in 2024 and share more than their country of origin - they also share platforms, dealer networks and a strategy focused exclusively on SUVs. Their European launch began with the Omoda 5, offered with petrol and electric powertrains, and the Jaecoo 7, available with plug-in hybrid and petrol options.

It is worth recalling that the Omoda 5 was one of last year’s surprises in the Spanish market. A near-unknown arrival, it quickly made its mark - and it is still doing so. Pairing a petrol engine with keen pricing, it managed to beat brands such as Tesla, Jeep and FIAT in monthly sales. In 2025, sales figures continue to climb.

Chery accelerates electrification for Omoda and Jaecoo

This push is far from easing off. As European Union emissions rules tighten around combustion engines, Chery is stepping up the electrification of its brands.

At present, 74% of Omoda and Jaecoo sales come from petrol-powered models - a pricing-friendly approach, but one that could be costly against CO₂ targets set in Brussels.

The Omoda 9, a plug-in hybrid SUV with 449 cv and more than 149 km of electric range, represents the first move towards an electrified line-up and has already reached the European market. It will soon be joined by another plug-in hybrid, the Omoda 7, unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show. The Omoda 5 range will also be strengthened with additional hybrid and electric variants.

In 2026, the Omoda 3 is due to arrive: a compact SUV planned with three versions - combustion, plug-in hybrid and fully electric.

Meanwhile, the Jaecoo 5, a new compact SUV positioned below the Jaecoo 7, is set to reach Europe at the start of the summer and will be offered in electric and hybrid forms.

A threat to BYD?

Omoda and Jaecoo together recorded 15 799 units sold in Europe in the first quarter of 2025, according to Dataforce.

That total is a little over half of BYD’s 28 842 units, yet it underlines striking growth. And this has been achieved with only two models and a footprint limited to seven European markets - including Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, which account for the largest share of sales.

Over 2025, Chery intends to expand into a further 11 European markets, including Portugal, France, Belgium and Germany - although the name of the Portuguese importer is not yet known.

Chery’s ambition for Omoda and Jaecoo is sizeable: it expects the two brands to sell more than one million units globally by 2030.