From China to Holon: Automotive giant opens offices in Israel for the first time
Globes has learned that Chery recently rented offices in Holon and is expected to begin local operations later this year. Simultaneously, the SAIC group, represented in Israel by the Lubinski group, importer of MG, is also preparing to reopen its permanent representative office in Israel after about five years.
The Chinese group Chery Motors is establishing a permanent representative office in Israel, which will be staffed by its employees stationed in the country. Globes has learned that Chery recently rented offices in Holon and is expected to begin local operations later this year.
Until now, the connection between the company and its importers in Israel, Carasso Motors and Colmobil, was carried out through regional and product managers from the company's regional headquarters located in the UAE and Europe, and through technical teams visiting Israel from time to time.
The decision to establish the headquarters in Israel stems from the sharp increase in the group's market share in Israel in recent years, especially in 2026. According to delivery data for the period between January and July of this year, the Chery group, with the Chery, Jaecoo, and Omoda brands, held a market share of about 22.3% of all vehicle deliveries, establishing itself as the largest automotive group in Israel with about 47 thousand cumulative deliveries.
Israel is currently the group's leading global export market in terms of market share. In Russia, which was the group's leading export market until this year, Chery holds a 15%-20% share of total national sales. In the Middle East (excluding Israel), its market share is about 7%, and in Brazil and Latin America, it is about 5%.
The Chinese group's presence in the Israeli market is expected to expand in the coming months with three additional brands: the LEPAS brand, which is a premium sub-brand of Chery and will be imported by Carasso; the Icaur brand, which focuses on luxury SUVs and will soon be handed over to a third importer; and the Jetour brand, which focuses on the budget segment of the market, and its marketing in Israel and Europe will begin next year subject to European standardization.
SAIC is also preparing
Simultaneously, the SAIC group, represented in Israel by the Lubinski group, importer of MG, is also preparing to reopen its permanent representative office in Israel after about five years. In the past, the SAIC representative office focused on identifying and establishing ties with Israeli technology companies, but the new representative office is expected to represent all of the group's interests in Israel. The Geely group already has a permanent representative office in Israel that works with its relevant importers and brands in Israel.
In the automotive industry, it is estimated that at the first stage, the Chinese representative offices in Israel will focus on managing relations with the technical and logistical system of the importers and on solving marketing problems. However, according to the operating model of Chinese manufacturers in key markets in Europe and the Middle East where they operate, the representative offices may gradually take part in areas such as competitive positioning of vehicles, pricing, quality control, and government relations management, in coordination with the local embassy.
In addition, a "hybrid management" strategy is possible through the integration of experts or consultants from the manufacturers, who will be permanently stationed in the maintenance, logistics, and marketing system of the relevant Israeli importers, as is the case abroad.
In a number of key markets in Europe, Chinese groups, which are under the partial or full control of the Chinese government, have even taken direct control of the import of their vehicles, and local importers have become "dealers". However, it is estimated in the industry that the conditions of the Israeli market do not currently allow for such a move.
According to delivery data for the months of January-July, the market share of Chinese-made car brands climbed to a record 46.3% of total private vehicle deliveries in Israel, compared to about 30.7% in the same period last year. In the month of July alone, the market share of Chinese-made vehicles stood at 49.2% of all private vehicle deliveries in Israel.
Landed in Israel: The renewed Zeekr X
Union Group launched the renewed generation of the electric car Zeekr X from the premium brand of the Geely group in Israel this week. The external change is minimal, but the passenger cabin has been redesigned. The main change is the transition to a single rear engine with 340 hp with an option for two batteries - 61 kWh in the base version, with a range of up to 405 km in WLTP; and 66 kWh with a range of up to 445 km in the top version. The charging rate is 150-230 kW, depending on the model. Standard equipment in all versions includes surround cameras, leather upholstery, electric front seats, a sunroof, and more. The base price is now about 170 thousand shekels, about 15 thousand shekels less than the outgoing generation.
New and cheaper generations for the hybrid Kia Niro and the plug-in Sportage
Talcar Group announced a new marketing move this week, aimed at expanding the brand's hold in Israel in light of the intensifying competition. The move focuses on two main models.
The first is the renewed generation of the hybrid crossover Kia Niro, which arrives in Israel after an external and internal facelift, upgraded equipment, and lower entry prices than the previous generation. The vehicle's propulsion system has also been upgraded and now produces 138 hp, and the declared fuel consumption is about 21.7 km per liter in the base version. The vehicle is marketed in two trim levels, both of which have a digital control system, dual-zone climate control, artificial leather upholstery, and more. The top version also adds an electric driver's seat and large rims. Prices, after the launch discount, range from 170 to 175 thousand shekels.
The second model is the plug-in version of the popular Sportage, which has not been present in Israel for several years. The vehicle combines a 1.6-liter turbo engine, an electric motor, and a 13.8 kWh battery, and it produces a combined output of 288 hp and an electric range of up to 68 km in WLTP. The declared combined fuel consumption is 35.7 km per liter. The vehicle comes in a high trim level with leather upholstery, electric front seats, a double electric sunroof, an electric trunk door, and more. The entry price is about 220 thousand shekels, almost 40 thousand shekels less than the outgoing generation.
