Chine
Karry
Karry (凯瑞) is a Chinese automotive brand specializing in light commercial vehicles, founded in 2009 by automaker Chery Automobile and based in Wuhu, in Anhui Province, China. Its history actually begins in 2007, when Chery expanded its lineup into commercial and delivery vehicles with a compact van, the Chery Karry, derived from the Fengyun (Cowin) sedan. In 2009, Chery reorganized its offerings and split off three new brands from its portfolio, including Karry Auto, dedicated exclusively to commercial vehicles and certain specialty models. On that occasion, the Chery Karry was renamed Karry Youyi and the Chery V2 became the Karry Youya, while the lineup was expanded with the Yousheng/Youpai van. During the 2010s, Karry diversified its offerings: in 2012 it introduced an economical pickup, the Karry Aika, along with various compact minivans and MPVs, including the Karry K50 and K60. In 2017, Chery Commercial Vehicle created a dedicated division, Karry New Energy, focused on electric variants of the Karry models, beginning with the K60 EV. The electric Youyou EV van was launched in 2018, followed in 2019 by the Karry Dolphin, the first model designed from the outset for electric power. The brand gradually shifted toward an exclusively electrified lineup starting in the 2020s, with vans (the Porpoise range) and small trucks (Lingmi, Little Elephant). Internationally, Karry launched its first CKD assembly project in Egypt as early as 2013 and, by the end of 2023, was present in more than 20 countries through a network of over 300 sales and service points. Following Chery Automobile's IPO in 2025, Karry and Chery Commercial Vehicle were spun off and are now operated independently by Chery Holding Group, with no direct equity ties to Chery Automobile. Karry is not sold in North America; its vehicles primarily target the Chinese market (third- and fourth-tier cities, rural areas) and certain emerging markets.
ActiveÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitaireChinoises
History
History of Karry
Karry (凯瑞) is a Chinese automotive brand specializing in light commercial vehicles, founded in 2009 by automaker Chery Automobile and based in Wuhu, in Anhui Province, China. Its history actually begins in 2007, when Chery expanded its lineup into commercial and delivery vehicles with a compact van, the Chery Karry, derived from the Fengyun (Cowin) sedan. In 2009, Chery reorganized its offerings and split off three new brands from its portfolio, including Karry Auto, dedicated exclusively to commercial vehicles and certain specialty models. On that occasion, the Chery Karry was renamed Karry Youyi and the Chery V2 became the Karry Youya, while the lineup was expanded with the Yousheng/Youpai van. During the 2010s, Karry diversified its offerings: in 2012 it introduced an economical pickup, the Karry Aika, along with various compact minivans and MPVs, including the Karry K50 and K60. In 2017, Chery Commercial Vehicle created a dedicated division, Karry New Energy, focused on electric variants of the Karry models, beginning with the K60 EV. The electric Youyou EV van was launched in 2018, followed in 2019 by the Karry Dolphin, the first model designed from the outset for electric power. The brand gradually shifted toward an exclusively electrified lineup starting in the 2020s, with vans (the Porpoise range) and small trucks (Lingmi, Little Elephant). Internationally, Karry launched its first CKD assembly project in Egypt as early as 2013 and, by the end of 2023, was present in more than 20 countries through a network of over 300 sales and service points. Following Chery Automobile's IPO in 2025, Karry and Chery Commercial Vehicle were spun off and are now operated independently by Chery Holding Group, with no direct equity ties to Chery Automobile. Karry is not sold in North America; its vehicles primarily target the Chinese market (third- and fourth-tier cities, rural areas) and certain emerging markets.
Public founding or origin of Karry.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Karry relies on Chery Commercial Vehicle's utility platforms to produce vans, minivans, compact MPVs and small trucks. Historically, the lineup was based on small-displacement naturally aspirated gasoline engines—rugged and economical, suited to intensive commercial use and low operating costs. Since the creation of Karry New Energy in 2017, the brand has bet heavily on electrification: fully battery-electric powertrains for its delivery vans (Dolphin, Porpoise range) and certain specialty models, with architectures designed from the ground up for electric propulsion. The emphasis is on payload capacity, urban range and low total cost of ownership rather than on performance or sophisticated driver-assistance systems. Safety equipment generally remains focused on the essentials on the commercial versions.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A Chinese brand of economical light commercial and electric vehicles (Chery group), absent from North America.
Reputation
Karry is seen as an economical Chinese commercial brand, prioritizing the cost/utility ratio over prestige or refinement. Its vehicles are valued for their low purchase price, mechanical simplicity and practicality in transporting goods and people, particularly in secondary cities and rural areas of China. Reliability is considered adequate for commercial use, without a reputation for premium longevity. Being absent from North America, the brand enjoys no name recognition, dealer network or established resale value there. Independent Western reviews are rare, as the lineup is centered on markets where cost takes priority over comfort and technology.
Strengths
Karry's strengths: a very low purchase price, mechanical simplicity and low operating costs, making it an affordable work tool. The brand benefits from the industrial backing of the Chery group and was quick to take the electrification turn for its delivery vans. Its lineup covers a wide variety of commercial body styles (vans, minivans, MPVs, small trucks) suited to urban and rural transport.
Points to watch
Karry's limitations: a complete absence from the North American market (no dealer network, no parts, no local resale value), and entry-level positioning with limited comfort, finish and safety equipment. Onboard technology and driver-assistance systems remain rudimentary on the commercial versions. Name recognition outside China and a few emerging markets is low, and independent Western reviews are almost nonexistent, which makes any objective evaluation difficult for a foreign buyer.
Models
Karry models
Current or active models by market
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Karry's production is concentrated in Wuhu, in Anhui Province, China, the historic site of Chery Commercial Vehicle and Karry New Energy. Internationally, the brand has developed CKD assembly (imported components assembled locally), beginning with a project in Egypt in 2013, then in other emerging markets as part of its expansion into more than 20 countries. Karry has no factory or industrial presence in North America, and its vehicles are not distributed there. Manufacturing remains essentially Chinese, with overseas assembly operations intended to circumvent import barriers in certain markets.
Tires and wheels
Karry vehicles are small commercial vans, vans and compact MPVs: they generally run small- to medium-diameter wheels, typically from 14 to 17 inches depending on the model and trim, with medium-profile tires that favor durability and payload capacity. The most common bolt pattern on this type of Chinese vehicle is 4 or 5 lugs. Since Karry is not distributed in Quebec, affected buyers will mainly find equivalents by tire size. For any vehicle of this size driven through winter in Quebec, certified winter tires (mountain-snowflake symbol) are mandatory and strongly recommended on dedicated steel wheels. Always check the exact size listed on the door jamb before choosing tires and wheels.