Omoda & Jaecoo arrive in France: the Chery group takes on the Hexagon
Jean Reno on the Front Line
When a Chinese automaker chooses Jean Reno as its ambassador for its launch in France, the message is clear: we're not here as tourists. The Chery group, an underrated giant in the global automotive industry, is preparing to take the plunge by landing on the French market in spring 2026, armed with two sister brands, Omoda and Jaecoo. Two names that still sound unfamiliar to French ears, but which have already conquered 64 markets worldwide. A debut that deserves closer attention.
Chery, the Discreet Giant from Wuhu
Behind Omoda and Jaecoo lies the Chery group, founded in March 1997 in Wuhu, in Anhui province, by a group of Chinese government officials. A state-owned enterprise from the outset, Chery began vehicle production in December 1999 and exported its first cars as early as 2001, heading to Syria. An international ambition written into the group's DNA from the very beginning.
The distance traveled since then has been impressive. With 2.8 million vehicles delivered in 2025, of which 1.3 million outside China, the group claims the status of China's leading automotive exporter for over twenty consecutive years. A track record that earns it a place in the Fortune Global 500 ranking, with revenues of $59.7 billion. We're talking about a player that's at least as solid as many European automakers — simply far less visible on our streets.
Omoda & Jaecoo, Born for Export
The Omoda & Jaecoo brand is young — born in April 2023 specifically to drive the international offensive. Two product lines, one shared vision: seduce the world with electrified SUVs and crossovers designed for markets outside China.
The Omodas embody the urban crossover side of the range: fluid lines, careful finishes, modern and technological interior. The Jaecoos, meanwhile, play the card of the more rugged SUV, adventurous at heart, without sacrificing interior comfort. The two lines share a modern architecture and the same quality ambitions — a formula that has already seduced more than 800,000 buyers worldwide since their creation, including 200,000 in Europe since 2024.
To support this expansion in the Old Continent, Chery invested 100 million euros in 2024 to relaunch the former Nissan plant in Barcelona, in partnership with Ebro-EV Motors. A move that is far from trivial, particularly with regard to eco-bonus eligibility rules. The group also has a research and development center in Raunheim, Germany, since 2018 — proof that European anchoring is not merely a circumstantial posture.
The Range for France: Hybrid First
For its launch in France, Omoda & Jaecoo is betting on four electrified models, all equipped with in-house SHS (Super Hybrid System) technology, available in simple hybrid (SHS-H) or plug-in hybrid (SHS-P) versions.
On the Jaecoo side: the Jaecoo 5, a compact B-SUV of 4.4 meters in hybrid version starting from €26,990, and the Jaecoo 7, a C-SUV of 4.5 meters available in hybrid (from €29,990) and plug-in hybrid (from €35,990). On the Omoda side: the Omoda 7, a rechargeable C-SUV of 4.66 meters, and the large Omoda 9, a D-SUV of 4.77 meters starting from €49,990, with its 537-horsepower powertrain and announced electric range of up to 145 kilometers in rechargeable mode.
Hanbang Yu, Managing Director of Omoda & Jaecoo France, sums up the group's philosophy in a formula that will surely make competitors think: "We are convinced that hybrid is the new gasoline engine, and that plug-in hybrid is the new hybrid."
70 Dealerships, 10,000 Cars, and Jean Reno
For its debut in France, the Paris subsidiary of Omoda & Jaecoo is aiming high: 70 sales points from the spring 2026 launch, a seven-year warranty on all models, zero-down financing via OMODA & JAECOO Finance — in partnership with CGI (Société Générale Group) — from €299 per month, and a long-term rental offer developed with Ayvens for businesses.
The stated objective for 2026? Ten thousand registrations. An ambitious but not far-fetched figure for a brand that has established itself in 64 global markets since its creation in 2023 and already claims 135,000 sales in Europe for 2025 alone. In the United Kingdom, the Jaecoo 7 even topped private customer sales in 2025 — a reference that speaks volumes.
And to ensure nobody misses the event, it's Jean Reno — Léon, the Professional, one of the most recognized French actors worldwide — who lends his image to the brand for its entry into France. Discretion, clearly, is not the Omoda & Jaecoo style.
Discover the Omoda and Jaecoo Brochures on Brochure Auto
Want to learn more about these newcomers before they flood French roads? Jaecoo and Omoda brochures and manuals are already available on Brochure Auto. Find the Jaecoo brochures and the Omoda brochures to explore the ranges and features, and also consult the Jaecoo user manuals and Omoda to learn all about getting to know these two brands that intend to shake up the French market.
