Omoda & Jaecoo land in France: the Chery group storming into the hexagon
Jean Reno on the Front Line
When a Chinese automaker chooses Jean Reno as an ambassador for its launch in France, the message is clear: we're not here as tourists. The Chery group, an unsung giant of the global automotive industry, is about to take the plunge and arrive 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 around the world. An entry that deserves closer examination.
Chery, the Quiet Giant of Wuhu
Behind Omoda and Jaecoo lies the Chery group, founded in March 1997 in Wuhu, in Anhui province, by a group of Chinese officials. A publicly-owned enterprise from its inception, Chery began vehicle production in December 1999 and exported its first cars as early as 2001, heading to Syria. An international ambition carved into the group's DNA from the very beginning.
Since then, the journey 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 more than twenty consecutive years. A track record that earns it a place in the Fortune Global 500 ranking, with revenues of 59.7 billion dollars. 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 precisely to steer the international offensive. Two product lines, a single mindset: seduce the world with electrified SUVs and crossovers designed for non-Chinese markets.
The Omoda models embody the urban crossover side of the range: fluid lines, refined finishes, modern and technological interiors. Jaecoo, meanwhile, plays the card of a more robust, adventurous SUV, without sacrificing interior comfort. Both lines share a modern architecture and the same quality ambitions — a recipe that has already won over more than 800,000 buyers worldwide since their creation, including 200,000 in Europe since 2024.
To support this expansion on the Old Continent, Chery invested 100 million euros in 2024 to revamp the former Nissan plant in Barcelona, in partnership with Ebro-EV Motors. A move that's 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 matter of circumstance.
The French Lineup: Hybrid First
For its launch in France, Omoda & Jaecoo is counting on four electrified models, all equipped with the in-house SHS (Super Hybrid System) technology, available in standard 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 euros, 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 euros, with its 537-horsepower powertrain and announced electric range of up to 145 kilometers in plug-in hybrid mode.
Hanbang Yu, General Director of Omoda & Jaecoo France, sums up the group's philosophy in a formula that will undoubtedly give competitors pause: "We are convinced that hybrid is the new internal combustion engine, and that plug-in hybrid is the new hybrid."
70 Dealerships, 10,000 Vehicles, and Jean Reno
For its debut in France, the Paris subsidiary of Omoda & Jaecoo is aiming high: 70 sales points at the spring 2026 launch, a seven-year warranty on all models, financing with no down payment through OMODA & JAECOO Finance — in partnership with CGI (Société Générale Group) — from 299 euros per month, and a long-term lease offer developed with Ayvens for business customers.
The stated target for 2026? Ten thousand registrations. An ambitious but not unrealistic figure for a brand that has established itself in 64 global markets since its creation in 2023 and already claims 135,000 sales across Europe for 2025 alone. In the United Kingdom, the Jaecoo 7 even topped consumer sales in 2025 — a benchmark that speaks volumes.
And so no one misses the event, it's Jean Reno — Léon, The Professional, one of the most recognized French actors around the world — who lends his image to the brand for its entry into France. Discretion, clearly, is the least of Omoda & Jaecoo's concerns.
Discover Omoda and Jaecoo Brochures on Brochure Auto
Want to learn more about these newcomers before they flood French roads? Jaecoo and Omoda brochures and user guides are already available on Brochure Auto. Find the Jaecoo brochures and Omoda brochures to explore the ranges and equipment, and also consult the Jaecoo user manuals and Omoda to learn everything about getting to know these two brands that intend to make a real difference in the French market.
