Chery Automobile was founded in 1997 in Wuhu, China, as a state-owned enterprise. It was China's first automaker to export cars to the West (2001) and grew into one of China's top-selling independent brands. Chery spawned sub-brands including Jetour (adventure SUVs), Omoda (lifestyle crossovers), and Jaecoo (outdoor-oriented models). Jetour entered several Southeast Asian markets in 2023 and 2024, gaining rapid traction with its competitively priced and well-equipped SUV lineup. In the Philippines, Jetour posted 67.2% sales growth in 2024. Chery's Malaysia plant also serves as a regional production hub for ASEAN exports.