Chinese automaker Chery launches new hybrid car in Israel

JERUSALEM -- Chinese carmaker Chery launched a new hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) in Israel on Monday, its local distributor Freesbe said in a statement.

The model, Chery Tiggo 7 HEV, is a compact crossover SUV powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor with a 1.8-kWh battery.

The car has a combined power of 246 horsepower, paired with a special hybrid transmission called DHT that smoothly manages both the engine and the electric motor. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 175 km/h.

Chery was the best-selling brand in Israel in the first quarter of 2026, according to data issued by the Israel Vehicle Importers Association.

The data showed that the company sold a total of 21,521 cars across 11 models in Israel, including gasoline, full-electric, and hybrid cars.

Chinese automakers led Israel's imported passenger car market in the first quarter, with 39,127 cars delivered, followed by South Korea with 17,828 and Japan with 10,630 units. (source:Xinhua)