‘Temu Range Rover’: what the best-selling Jaecoo 7 says about China’s electric car ascendancy
The Chery Jaecoo 7, a Chinese-made crossover SUV, became the UK's best-selling car in March 2026, marking a significant shift in the automotive market. Priced competitively and loaded with features, the Jaecoo 7 benefits from China's lower production costs and extensive state support. This rise highlights the growing challenge Chinese automakers pose to traditional European, American, and Asian car manufacturers.
- ▪Chery sold 10,064 units of the Jaecoo 7 in the UK in March 2026, making it the top-selling car that month.
- ▪The Jaecoo 7 is produced at a significantly lower cost in China, with manufacturing expenses around $25,000 compared to $33,000 for similar European SUVs.
- ▪Chery benefits from China’s long-term government support for 'new energy vehicles' and economies of scale across multiple brands sharing platforms and parts.
- ▪Labour costs in China are four times lower than in Europe, and material costs are 40% higher in Europe.
- ▪Chery exported 1.3 million vehicles in 2025 and has been China’s largest car exporter for 23 consecutive years.
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Chery sold 10,064 of its Jaecoo 7 crossover SUVs in March. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The GuardianView image in fullscreenChery sold 10,064 of its Jaecoo 7 crossover SUVs in March. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The GuardianAutomotive industry‘Temu Range Rover’: what the bestselling Jaecoo 7 says about China’s electric car ascendancyLoaded with extras and produced at a cut price, the crossover SUV has overtaken rival cars from US, Japanese and Korean firmsJasper Jolly and Claudia EfeminiFri 1 May 2026 10.00 EDTLast modified on Fri 1 May 2026 12.46 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe UK is no stranger to foreign cars.
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