“In Europe, for Europe” is the mantra that is driving the arrival and growth of brands Omoda e Jaecoo on the markets of the Old Continent. Belonging to the Chinese giant Chery Group, the new brands were created expressly for the European market and, by offering models with different positioning and powered by different powertrains, they try to meet any need or taste.
For Italy, however, a further step will most likely be taken. Alongside the purely thermal versions, the plug-in hybrid versions and the electric ones, there could also be models with LPG engines, for the development of which the first studies have already begun. This should concern, at least at the moment, the first two SUVs offered: the Omoda 5 and the Jaecoo 7.
The synergies of the Chery Group
By giving up – probably – the space that would otherwise be used as a spare wheel, the two brands could in this way guarantee themselves the attention of all those who, for economic reasons, are lovers of cars driven (also) by liquefied petroleum gas. The conversion, moreover, should not be complex, considering that Chery (which plans to open a plant in Europe) is already the manufacturer of a large part of the models that DR Automobiles Group imports and assembles and which are offered, in fact, with bi-fuel engine. The engine 1.5 four cylinder used by DR belongs to Chery’s ACTECO family.
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Since this is an operation dedicated exclusively to the Italian market, it is reasonable to expect that Omoda and Jaecoo are interfacing with installers active on the national territory, able to intervene on the specimens imported from China. In this way, with the company directly supervising the conversion and homologation procedure, the commercial conditions which speak of a 7 year guarantee by 150,000 km.
Jaecoo
A smart move
After all, the numbers speak for themselves: more and more Italians they choose an LPG car. In the first six months of 2024, 81,467 bi-fuel cars were registered, i.e. 9.1%. In the same semester of 2023 the share was 8.9% (75,723 registrations) and 8.6% in 2022 (59,853 units). In other words, in two years LPG car sales in Italy have grown by 36%.
The ranking of the best sellers in the January-June 2024 semester is dominated by the Renault group with a podium that sees Dacia Sandero (25,704 units), Dacia Duster (9,614) and Renault Captur (9,083) on the podium, in first, second and third place respectively . In fifth place, after the Clio, there is a DR, the 5.0, with 4,066 registrations. In eighth place another DR, the 6.0 (2,083).
Source: it.motor1.com
