Photo/Kong Sizhe (NBD)

"The two European luxury brands that in talks with Chery for a partnership are mostly likely Maserati and Alfa Romeo," an anonymous source told NBD on April 15th.

The news comes on the heels of a livestream event held on April 14th, where Chery Chairman Yin Tongyue drove the Xingyue ET electric SUV on a long-distance highway test, showcasing its advanced driver-assistance features. During the livestream, Yin revealed that two European luxury brands would be utilizing Chery's platforms to build high-end vehicles.

"One European luxury brand will use the Xingyue Xingjiyuan's technology platform to build cars, and one is close to reaching a deal, while another overseas brand is also in talks," Yin stated.

Following the livestream, some media outlets reported that Jaguar Land Rover could be the first luxury automaker to adopt Chery's platform. However, both Jaguar Land Rover and Chery's spokesperson Jin Yubo denied these claims.

According to the anonymous source, Chery's potential partners are most likely from the Stellantis Group, with Maserati and Alfa Romeo being the two brands currently in discussions. Chery has not yet responded to requests for confirmation.

It is noteworthy that both Maserati and Alfa Romeo have been relatively slow in their electric vehicle (EV) transitions, but both are now accelerating their efforts.

In January, Maserati unveiled its electrification plan, including the launch of the fully electric GranCabrio in 2024, the fully electric MC20 in 2025, a large SUV in 2027, and an all-electric version of the Ghibli in 2028. Currently, Maserati offers two electric models: the GranTurismo all-electric sports car and the Grecale pure electric SUV.

On April 11th, Alfa Romeo also introduced its first production EV, the Milano, further solidifying its commitment to electrification.

The potential collaboration between Chery and these European luxury brands could mark a significant step forward for both parties. Chery would gain access to valuable expertise and brand recognition, while the European brands could benefit from Chery's advanced technology and manufacturing capabilities, particularly in the realm of EVs.