Chine
Jetour
Jetour is a Chinese automotive brand launched on January 22, 2018 by the Chery Automobile group, one of China's largest automakers, founded in 1997 in Wuhu, in Anhui province, where Jetour keeps its headquarters. Right from its launch, the brand unveiled its first model, the X70 SUV, designed to offer spacious, value-priced family vehicles. Originally, Jetour mainly targeted Chinese families in third- and fourth-tier cities who were fond of travel and outdoor leisure, which is reflected in the brand's name, a contraction of "journey" and "tour." In April 2018, at the Beijing Auto Show, Jetour presented an electric concept signaling its electrification ambitions. In July 2021, the Chery group elevated Jetour to the status of a full-fledged subsidiary, "Jetour Automobile," on an equal footing with its other brands. The lineup then expanded rapidly: the launch in November 2023 of the Jetour Shanhai sub-brand, dedicated to plug-in hybrids, followed by more adventurous models such as the T2 and the Zongheng series, geared toward luxury off-road. In January 2024, just 65 months after its creation, the brand passed the milestone of one million vehicles produced, illustrating sustained growth: production rose from about 315,000 units in 2023 to more than 568,000 in 2024. Jetour quickly turned to exports and is now present in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Russia, and several Latin American markets. In North America, the brand entered Mexico (starting in 2023), where it announced major investments, including a factory project, but it is not officially marketed in Canada or the United States. In Quebec, you therefore won't find Jetour in the dealer network; the brand remains known mainly to enthusiasts who follow the rise of Chinese automakers.
ActiveÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitaireChinoises
History
History of Jetour
Jetour is a Chinese automotive brand launched on January 22, 2018 by the Chery Automobile group, one of China's largest automakers, founded in 1997 in Wuhu, in Anhui province, where Jetour keeps its headquarters. Right from its launch, the brand unveiled its first model, the X70 SUV, designed to offer spacious, value-priced family vehicles. Originally, Jetour mainly targeted Chinese families in third- and fourth-tier cities who were fond of travel and outdoor leisure, which is reflected in the brand's name, a contraction of "journey" and "tour." In April 2018, at the Beijing Auto Show, Jetour presented an electric concept signaling its electrification ambitions. In July 2021, the Chery group elevated Jetour to the status of a full-fledged subsidiary, "Jetour Automobile," on an equal footing with its other brands. The lineup then expanded rapidly: the launch in November 2023 of the Jetour Shanhai sub-brand, dedicated to plug-in hybrids, followed by more adventurous models such as the T2 and the Zongheng series, geared toward luxury off-road. In January 2024, just 65 months after its creation, the brand passed the milestone of one million vehicles produced, illustrating sustained growth: production rose from about 315,000 units in 2023 to more than 568,000 in 2024. Jetour quickly turned to exports and is now present in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Russia, and several Latin American markets. In North America, the brand entered Mexico (starting in 2023), where it announced major investments, including a factory project, but it is not officially marketed in Canada or the United States. In Quebec, you therefore won't find Jetour in the dealer network; the brand remains known mainly to enthusiasts who follow the rise of Chinese automakers.
Public founding or origin of Jetour.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Jetour relies on several in-house platforms. The iPeL platform (intelligent platform of e-network and lightweight) serves as the basis for several SUVs, while the Kunlun platform supports electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and extended-range (EREV) powertrains. On the combustion side, the models mainly use turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engines (notably 1.5 L and 1.6 L units) paired with dual-clutch transmissions. Electrification relies on the Chery group's hybrid technologies, including the Kunpeng plug-in system and the i-DM architecture, which aim for long combined ranges (up to more than 1,000 km claimed). The Shanhai sub-brand concentrates the PHEV offering, and the Zongheng series, built on the GAIA platform, focuses on advanced off-road capabilities. The vehicles also feature driver-assistance systems and a tech-rich cabin (large screens, connectivity).
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A Chinese brand of the Chery group specializing in spacious, value-priced family SUVs that are increasingly electrified.
Reputation
As a young brand, Jetour enjoys a reputation for good value for money: tests and reviews highlight spacious cabins, appreciable ride comfort, and decent fit and finish for the price. Warranties are generous in several markets (7-year/200,000 km powertrain coverage, or even more depending on the country). The points to watch that have been noted concern the calibration of certain dual-clutch transmissions, parts delays, and a service network that is less extensive than that of established brands. Resale value, as with many recent Chinese brands, can depreciate more quickly, all the more so since Jetour has no track record in North America.
Strengths
Jetour stands out for spacious, well-equipped SUVs sold at competitive prices, a rapid move upmarket toward plug-in hybrids and off-road, as well as generous warranties in several markets. The backing of a large group, Chery, gives it significant technical and industrial resources, along with a modern design that appeals to family buyers.
Points to watch
As a recent brand, Jetour suffers from a still-short reliability track record, a less-developed service and parts network outside its key markets, and uncertain resale value. Some dual-clutch transmissions have been criticized. Above all, the absence of an official presence in Canada and the United States complicates access to vehicles, parts, and service for a North American buyer.
Models
Jetour models
Current or active models by market
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Jetour's production is concentrated in China, within the Chery group's industrial operations, with its historical roots in Wuhu (Anhui). The brand also operates a plant in Fuzhou, in Fujian, acquired from Soueast in 2024, with a capacity of about 200,000 vehicles per year. In North America, Jetour has no operating plant; however, it has announced major investments in Mexico, including an assembly plant project that could reach several billion dollars. No official production or distribution exists in Canada or the United States to date, which limits the brand's concrete presence in the Quebec market.
Tires and wheels
Jetour SUVs (X70 Plus, T2, Dashing, etc.) generally use 17- to 19-inch wheels, with tires of typical size for compact and mid-size SUVs (for example, widths around 215 to 245 mm depending on the model and trim). The bolt pattern is commonly 5-lug, frequent among SUVs in this segment. In Quebec, certified winter tires are mandatory: for these SUVs, good-quality winter tires are often preferred, sometimes in a reduced wheel diameter for comfort and cost. Always check the exact dimensions listed on the door jamb or the vehicle's specification sheet before purchasing.