Chery hybrids show Rs1m disparity

KARACHI: A price difference of nearly Rs1 million has surfaced between two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles being introduced in Pakistan by brands linked to China’s Chery Group, even though they share closely related engineering and similar specifications.

Master Group’s Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV has been priced at Rs9.5 million, while Nishat Group’s Jaecoo J7 is being offered at Rs10.499 million. Both vehicles are aimed at buyers in Pakistan’s growing sport utility vehicle market, where demand for electrified models has risen alongside a sharp increase in petrol and diesel prices.

As per details, the two models are sold under different Chery Group brands and are positioned for customers seeking modern SUVs with an emphasis on performance and technology. However, despite their different branding and styling approaches, both vehicles are built on closely related platforms, share core engineering and offer almost identical hybrid performance.

Different branding, similar engineering

A senior official at Chery Master said the development reflects a new phase of competition in the expanding SUV segment, not only between separate automakers but also among brands operating under the same global automotive group.

The Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV has entered the C-segment as a plug-in hybrid based on Chery’s latest Super Hybrid architecture. It pairs a 1.5TGDI engine with an 18.3 kWh battery and a dedicated hybrid transmission. According to the details shared in the report, the vehicle offers up to 90km of all-electric range and a combined driving range of around 1,200km.

The Jaecoo J7, meanwhile, is part of Chery’s newer sub-brand strategy, which is intended to give it a more design-focused and lifestyle-oriented identity. While its exterior has been positioned as more rugged, upright and inspired by off-road styling, its underlying engineering remains closely aligned with Chery’s existing hybrid platforms.

Price sensitivity shaping buyer choices

The Chery Master official said such overlap is not unusual in the international automobile industry, where shared platforms across multiple brands — often described as badge engineering — are common. In Pakistan, however, where buyers are highly sensitive to pricing, these comparisons are increasingly affecting purchasing decisions.

For consumers moving from conventional petrol vehicles to SUVs, the official said, the difference is significant rather than minor, as it directly affects affordability and the overall economics of ownership.

He said plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are emerging as a practical middle option at a time when fuel prices remain elevated, allowing motorists to use electric power for daily travel while still retaining a combustion engine for longer trips.

The official added that as Pakistan’s hybrid vehicle segment continues to grow, comparisons between models from the same parent group are likely to become more frequent. He further said consumers are currently less focused on appearance alone and are instead favouring vehicles that offer stronger value for money.

The development comes amid celebrations in the market over the highest sales of electrified vehicles, recorded after a major increase in petrol and diesel prices.