iCar Ecological Technology Co., Ltd., trading as iCar (stylized as iCAR), is a subsidiary of Chinese vehicle manufacturer Chery. The iCar brand was established as an electric vehicle brand in April 2023, following several previous usage of the trademark by Chery. iCar started sales of its first vehicle, the iCar 03 SUV in February 2024.

Quick Facts Company type, Industry ...
iCar Ecological Technology Co., Ltd.
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAutomotive
FoundedApril 2023; 1 year ago (2023-04)
HeadquartersWuhu, Anhui, China
Area served
  • China
Key people
Chen Jian (brand operations officer)[1]
ProductsAutomobiles
ParentChery Automobile
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese爱咖生态科技有限公司
Hanyu PinyinÀikā Shēngtài Kējì Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī
Website
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History

The iCar brand has been used by Chery several times prior to its usage as a standalone electric car brand. In 2007, the iCar name was used for a pickup truck.[2] In 2014, the platform used by the Chery Arrizo 7 was marketed as iCar.[2] In 2017, iCar became an "ecosystem" brand owned by Chery. Past use of the brand include a digital ecosystem,[3] along with online and offline direct sales store network selling Chery New Energy vehicles such as the Chery QQ Ice Cream.[4] The Chery eQ1 is also marketed as the Caoa Chery iCar in Brazil since August 2023.[5]

Thumb
Initial logo in 2023

The brand was spun off into an electric car brand in April 2023 at the Auto Shanghai.[2] The "i" logo of iCar was designed by Cao Xue, the creator of the panda mascot of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. According to Chery, "i" stands for intelligence, internet, innovation, individual, inspiration, and information.[6] The brand targets younger people aged 25–35 who are pursuing new careers.[7] At the auto show, the brand debuted two cars, the iCar 03 and the iCar GT sports car concept. The brand plans to market four product series covering MPV, SUVs, and sports cars.[6]

CATL announced that they will be incorporating their sodium-ion batteries into the Chery iCar.[8]

Pilot production of the iCar 03 started in June 2023,[9] while pre-orders were opened in November 2023.[10] It went on sale on 28 February 2024.[11]

Products

Current models

  • iCar 03 (2024–present), compact SUV, BEV
  • iCar V23 (upcoming), compact SUV, BEV
  • iCar X25 (upcoming), compact off-road MPV, BEV/REEV

Concept car

  • iCar GT

See also

References

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