The Chery automotive company is a large and growing concern in China. The company sold some 500,000 units in 2009. Chery has like most large manufacturers become involved with electric vehicles.
The company plans to offer the Chery S-18 in China as well as for export. We assume
the S-18 is an original design. According to Wiki, the Chery company has a recent reputation for copying designs and producing the clones for sale.
The S-18 can reach a top speed of 75 mph (120kph), with a range of 93 miles (150 km),
while capable of recharge in 5 hours. Further S-18 Specs are here.
Of the hundreds of Chinese electric car models manufactured, only a few are built to western specifications and exported. Chery is ahead of much of the field in offering a finished car for export. However there is competition from other Chinese affiliates and manufacturers like Zap, Miles, and BYD.
In related news, the Chery company is teaming up with California-based Better Place to produce charging station gear, and battery switching prototypes in China. The results would be used to obtain the governmental green light for further regional electric car infrastructure developments.
Apparently, numbers for the Chery M1 did not pencil out. It appears that the company will produce the "Chery M1 EV Instead Of The Electric Car" according to news sources.
Ouch, another one bites the dust.
For more information on Chinese electric cars in general, and the market, you can check here.
