Chine
iCar
iCar is a Chinese automotive brand specializing in electric vehicles, owned by the Chery Automobile group, headquartered in Wuhu, in Anhui province. The iCar name was first used by Chery several times before becoming a brand in its own right: it appeared as early as 2007 (under a transliteration close to "Aika" for a Karry commercial vehicle), then as a platform designation in 2014 (Chery Arrizo 7), and finally as an "ecosystem" brand in 2017. It was in April 2023, at the Shanghai Auto Show, that Chery relaunched iCar as a brand dedicated to fully electric vehicles. The "i" logo was designed by Cao Xue, creator of the panda mascot for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. According to Chery, the "i" evokes intelligence, internet, innovation, individual, inspiration and information. The brand targets a young clientele, aged 25 to 35. Pilot production of the first model, the iCar 03 (a compact electric SUV), began in June 2023, pre-orders opened in November 2023, and sales started on February 28, 2024. A second vehicle, the V23, a compact SUV with angular, off-road-inspired styling co-developed with Zhimi Technology, was unveiled in April 2024 and launched in late 2024. The brand is growing quickly in China, rising from roughly 1,445 units sold in 2023 to nearly 66,000 in 2024. In April 2025, for trademark reasons (notably Apple's protection of its family of "i" names), iCar was renamed iCaur (pronounced the same way) for export markets. Depending on the country, names such as Aiqar (Armenia, Georgia, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Curaçao) or Chery/Jaecoo derivatives are also used. To date, iCar/iCaur has no established commercial presence in North America; its rollout focuses mainly on China, Southeast Asia, Africa and certain emerging markets.
ActiveÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitaireChinoises
History
History of iCar
iCar is a Chinese automotive brand specializing in electric vehicles, owned by the Chery Automobile group, headquartered in Wuhu, in Anhui province. The iCar name was first used by Chery several times before becoming a brand in its own right: it appeared as early as 2007 (under a transliteration close to "Aika" for a Karry commercial vehicle), then as a platform designation in 2014 (Chery Arrizo 7), and finally as an "ecosystem" brand in 2017. It was in April 2023, at the Shanghai Auto Show, that Chery relaunched iCar as a brand dedicated to fully electric vehicles. The "i" logo was designed by Cao Xue, creator of the panda mascot for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. According to Chery, the "i" evokes intelligence, internet, innovation, individual, inspiration and information. The brand targets a young clientele, aged 25 to 35. Pilot production of the first model, the iCar 03 (a compact electric SUV), began in June 2023, pre-orders opened in November 2023, and sales started on February 28, 2024. A second vehicle, the V23, a compact SUV with angular, off-road-inspired styling co-developed with Zhimi Technology, was unveiled in April 2024 and launched in late 2024. The brand is growing quickly in China, rising from roughly 1,445 units sold in 2023 to nearly 66,000 in 2024. In April 2025, for trademark reasons (notably Apple's protection of its family of "i" names), iCar was renamed iCaur (pronounced the same way) for export markets. Depending on the country, names such as Aiqar (Armenia, Georgia, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Curaçao) or Chery/Jaecoo derivatives are also used. To date, iCar/iCaur has no established commercial presence in North America; its rollout focuses mainly on China, Southeast Asia, Africa and certain emerging markets.
Public founding or origin of iCar.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
iCar relies entirely on battery-electric powertrains inherited from Chery's expertise. The lineup offers rear-wheel-drive (a single rear motor) or all-wheel-drive (two motors) configurations, with power outputs ranging from roughly 100 kW to more than 300 kW depending on the version. The batteries, mostly lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry supplied by CATL, offer capacities of around 50 to 82 kWh for CLTC-rated ranges of up to 500 to 550 km; Chery has also mentioned the use of sodium-ion batteries. DC fast charging allows a recharge in about half an hour. The iCar 03 uses a dedicated platform (i-MS) with independent suspension and offers a solar roof for a range top-up. The recent models integrate driver-assistance systems, and the V23 earned five stars from ASEAN NCAP.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A young electric brand from Chery, iCar (iCaur in export markets) offers affordable, technology-rich electric SUVs with bold styling.
Reputation
As a very young brand (launched in 2023), iCar does not yet have a long-term reliability track record or established resale-value data, especially outside China. Its rapid commercial growth in China and the bold styling of the V23 have drawn the attention of the specialized press, which praises the price-to-equipment ratio and the distinctive look. Early international reviews (South Africa, Southeast Asia) are generally favorable. On the other hand, the lack of a proven track record, a limited service network outside Asia, and the brand's newness call for caution. The V23 nonetheless boasts a five-star rating from ASEAN NCAP, a sign of seriousness when it comes to safety.
Strengths
iCar relies on affordable electric positioning, a distinctive and assertive design (notably the V23 with its angular off-road look), a strong level of technological equipment, and the solid industrial backing of Chery. CATL batteries, fast charging and high CLTC ranges add to the appeal, as does the five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating earned by the V23.
Points to watch
As a very recent brand, iCar lacks a proven track record on long-term reliability and resale value, two significant unknowns. Its sales and service network is limited outside China and Asia, and it is absent from the North American market. The advertised ranges follow the optimistic CLTC cycle; real-world figures, especially in extreme cold, will be more modest in Quebec.
Models
iCar models
Current or active models by market
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
iCar's production relies on Chery's industrial base, mainly in Wuhu, in China's Anhui province, where the iCar 03 and the V23 are assembled. To support exports, V23 assembly has also been set up in Indonesia (the Bekasi region of West Java). To date, iCar/iCaur has no factory or production presence in North America, and the brand is not officially sold there. Its international rollout, under the iCaur name (or local names such as Aiqar), focuses mainly on China, Southeast Asia, Africa and various emerging markets, drawing on the global network already built by Chery.
Tires and wheels
The iCar electric SUVs (03, V23) ride on generously sized fitments: you'll find 18- to 21-inch wheels depending on the version and model, with relatively low-profile tires as original equipment. The bolt pattern commonly associated with these Chery platforms is a 5-lug type. Like any EV, these vehicles are heavy (battery) and require tires with an appropriate load index; in Quebec, a second set of 3PMSF-approved winter tires is essential, often mounted on smaller wheels (for example 18 inches) to better handle snow and cold and to protect the summer wheels. Always verify the exact size, offset and bolt pattern in the catalog before buying.