Jetour cars are currently undergoing certification and will be offered after receiving the OTTS, sources in the Russian auto business told socialbites.ca. The interlocutors of the publication said that the introduction of the first Jetour model on the Russian market will take place in April.
Speakers of socialbites.ca emphasized that the company is not ready to reveal even the approximate prices of Jetour cars, as the situation in the market may change. The source said the jetour cars won’t be more expensive than models from parent brand Chery, but the former will target younger consumers.
The Jetour brand was founded in 2018 by the Chinese automaker Chery. Its lineup consists of crossovers with an original design that does not overlap with the products of the main brand.
In the summer of 2022, it was announced in a presentation that Jetour plans to actively expand its presence in export markets,
Including the start of sales in Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Russia and Kazakhstan.
The Jetour Dashing crossover (or Dasheng as it is called in China) is comparable in size to the Toyota RAV4 and is almost 12 cm taller than the Haval Jolion, produced at the factory in the Tula region. Also in terms of wheelbase (2720 mm), the Chinese car is ahead of its Japanese classmate (2690 mm).
Dashing is equipped with a 156 hp 1.5-liter turbo engine. and robotic dual-clutch transmission.
The interior features a horizontally oriented 15-inch media system screen. The car is equipped with a wide range of active safety systems, including automatic emergency braking and rear collision warning sensors. The cost of such a car in China is in the range from 100 to 134 thousand yuan (1.1-1.5 million rubles).
The Crossover X70 is bigger. With an overall length of 4720mm, it’s comparable to the second-generation SsangYong Rexton SUV and is 6.5cm shorter than the current Hyundai Santa Fe. The car is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 147 hp, paired with a 6-speed “mechanics” or a 6-speed “robot” with a double clutch. In this configuration, this vehicle has already received a Vehicle Type Approval (OTTS) in Kazakhstan.
Available in several versions, Jetour’s flagship model is the X90 crossover.
With an overall length of 4840 mm and a wheelbase of 2850 mm, it is comparable in size to the Kia Sorento. In the Chinese market, there is a seven-seat version of the X90. After the update in the fall of 2022, the Jetour X90 Plus version got a new 2.0-liter turbo engine with 254 hp. and a robotic 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Jetour has yet to reveal the artist with whom the brand will appear in Russia. According to preliminary information, the brand will present the X70 crossover to Russians at the start of sales.
While the popularity of a new car brand in Russia will depend on its price positioning, new crossovers in the segment above 2 million rubles will face serious competition,” say experts.
“The main competitors for Jetour will be the Haval and Geely crossovers, and they will likely drive prices as well.
Accordingly, the price of a more compact Jetour is expected to be around 2-3 million rubles.
The price of 4 million rubles for the X90, comparable in size to the Ford Explorer, seems to me quite enough, ”says Sergei Burgazliev, an independent automotive industry consultant, in an interview with socialbites.ca.
Given the high recycling fee and very expensive logistics, as well as the shortage of new cars in the Russian market, the prices of Chinese cars in Russia inevitably become significantly higher than in China itself. According to expert estimates, the delivery of a car from China to Russia in a container currently costs 3.5-4.5 thousand dollars (262-337 thousand rubles).
“For example, if a car in China costs up to 1 million rubles, in Russia this price can be safely doubled,” says Burgazliev.
Igor Morzharetto says that the Russian market is in dire need of relatively inexpensive models with a budget of up to 2 million rubles, and if Jetour turns out to be much more expensive, then fierce competition with Chinese brands operating in Russia is inevitable. Partner of the Avtostat analytical agency.
“If they want to sell in bulk, they need to enter the segment up to 2 million rubles, which is currently vacant.
There is a great need for such machines. For example, Kaiyi brand goes there. In the segment above, everything is very tight: Chery, Exeed and Haval work there, ”says Morzharetto socialbites.ca.
He states that with a car price of more than 2 million rubles, sales of at least tens of thousands of cars per year cannot be expected in the region.