Chinese carmaker Chery will launch its off-road electric vehicle brand iCar in the UK next year as part of a global expansion. Outside China, the brand will be called iCaur to avoid legal issues with Apple, which owns rights to the name "iCar".
The first model to arrive will be the V23, a compact electric SUV that debuted in China last year. High-spec versions use twin electric motors for four-wheel drive, delivering 208bhp and a range of up to 311 miles from an 82kWh NMC battery.
The larger V25, measuring 4.8 metres long, will follow at the end of 2026. It will feature a range-extender setup using a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine alongside the EV system.
In 2027, the V21, a smaller SUV aimed at rivals like the Jeep Avenger, is expected to join the line-up. A larger model, the V29, is also in development, but UK launch plans have yet to be confirmed.
Chery plans to open 2,000 iCar showrooms across 100 countries within the next three years, according to CEO Su Jun, speaking at the Shanghai motor show.
In the UK, Chery already sells vehicles under the Omoda and Jaecoo brands, which have seen strong growth. Together, they recorded 6,430 sales in the first quarter of this year—outperforming Suzuki, Jeep, and Fiat.
A new budget-focused brand called Lepas will soon join Chery’s UK offering. Originally launched in 2023 as a smart EV brand with plans for various body styles, iCar has now shifted its focus to rugged off-road models.
