Latest news with #OmodaC9
The Citizen
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Uber to launch self-driving taxis in London in 2026
Trials will begin with safety drivers for emergencies before fully autonomous Uber taxis hit the London streets. Ride-hailing firm Uber will launch self-driving taxis in London next year when England trials new driverless services, the firm and the UK government said on Tuesday. Under the Uber pilot scheme, services will initially have a human in the driver's seat who can take control of the vehicle in an emergency, but the trials will eventually transition to being fully driverless. The government announcement will see companies including Uber allowed to trial commercial driverless services without a human presence for the first time in the UK. They will include taxis and 'bus-like' services. Making autonomy 'safe and reliable' Uber CEO Andrew Macdonald described London's roads as 'one of the world's busiest and most complex urban environments'. 'Our vision is to make autonomy a safe and reliable option for riders everywhere, and this trial in London brings that future closer to reality,' he said. Members of the public will be able to book the transport via an app from spring 2026, ahead of a potential wider rollout when new legislation — the Automated Vehicles Act — becomes law from the second half of 2027, the Department for Transport added. Job opportunities The technology could create 38,000 jobs, add £42 billion ($57 billion) to the UK economy by 2025, and make roads safer, it said. ALSO READ: Uber stresses safety as 'top priority' amid concerns over driver profiles for sale [VIDEO] 'The future of transport is arriving. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world-leaders in new technology,' Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said. 'We can't afford to take a back seat on AI…. That's why we're bringing timelines forward today,' added Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. The wider rollout will also allow the sale and use of self-driving, private cars. Driverless vehicle trials have been underway in the UK since January 2015, with British companies Wayve and Oxa 'spearheading significant breakthroughs in the technology', the ministry said. 'These early pilots will help build public trust and unlock new jobs, services, and markets,' said Wayve CEO Alex Kendall. Safety in self-driving According to the government the forthcoming legislation will require self-driving vehicles to 'achieve a level of safety at least as high as competent and careful human drivers'. 'By having faster reaction times than humans, and by being trained on large numbers of driving scenarios, including learning from real-world incidents, self-driving vehicles can help reduce deaths and injuries,' it said. Driverless taxis with limited capacity are already on the roads in the United States and China, most notably in the central Chinese city of Wuhan where a fleet of over 500 can be hailed by app in designated areas. NOW READ: Plug-in Jaecoo J7 and Omoda C9's shock goes further than power
The Citizen
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Jaecoo J7 SHS hybrid: Stylish tech-laden SUV boasts 1 200km range
Alongside the flagship Omoda C9, Jaecoo has revealed pricing for its hybrid J7 SHS. Here is how much it will cost. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! Based on the J7 SUV, the J7 SHS (Super Hybrid System) combines a 1.5l turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, using a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) to deliver power exclusively to the front wheels. An 18.3kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery allows for an all-electric range of around 90km and the model can offer a claimed total range of up to 1 200km. Related: Review: Jaecoo J7 SHS (PHEV) Inside, the SUV offers a well-appointed cabin with premium materials and plenty of tech. Features include a 10.25-inch infotainment screen that is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Sony eight-speaker sound system, head-up display, 50W wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control (with rear vents), heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera with front and rear parking sensors. Boot space is fairly limited with 240l available behind the rear seats, but it expands to 896l with the seats folded flat. Related: Jaecoo's Plug-in Hybrid J7 SHS Confirmed for June Launch in SA In terms of performance, the plug-in hybrid combines the 105kW and 215N.m of torque from the ICE with a 150kW and 310N.m electric motor. Together, the system delivers a combined total of 255kW of power and 525N.m of torque. All of this power is sent to the front wheels through the aforementioned dedicated single-speed DHT. The J7 SHS can accelerate from 0 – 40km/h in 2.98 seconds, reach 60km/h in 4.46 seconds, and cross 100km/h in 8.55 seconds. When plugged into a 40kW DC charger, the battery can be topped up from 30 – 80% in just 20 minutes. Jaecoo J7 SHS pricing Jaecoo J7 SHS – R589 900 All models sold will include a seven-year/200 000km warranty and a seven-year/100 000km service plan alongside a 10-year unlimited range battery warranty which applies to the first owner only. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post Jaecoo J7 SHS Officially Arrives in South Africa – Pricing and Spec appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Chery launches Omoda and Jaecoo hybrid electric SUVs in South Africa
China's Chery Auto launched the sale of the hybrid versions of its Omoda C9 and Jaecoo J7 SUVs in South Africa on Thursday, its first new-energy vehicles in the country. The newly launched Jaecoo 7 Super Hybrid, manufactured by Chinese automaker Chery, is displayed during an event unveiling Omoda and Jaecoo new energy vehicles in Muldersdrift, South Africa on 5 June 2025. The launch comes at a time of growing competition in Africa's largest automotive market, where sales of electric and hybrid vehicles are rising and other Chinese companies - such as GAC, BYD and GWM - are also making inroads. Chery introduced its premium Omoda and Jaecoo brands to South Africa in 2023, starting with the Omoda C5 crossover SUV and later adding the Jaecoo J7 and more recently the Omoda C9, both fossil-fuelled. The new plug-in hybrid Omoda C9 is priced at R999,000 ($56,275) while the super hybrid system Jaecoo J7 comes in at R689,900. "This is the first time that Omoda and Jaecoo have launched the plug-in hybrids for the local or the African market, and the move really is because that's the way technology is going, because you get the best of both worlds," Hans Greyling, general manager of Omoda and Jaecoo South Africa told Reuters on the sidelines of the launch, adding it was the first of three launches planned for the year. "Probably in August we're looking at a new model on the Jaecoo side, the J5, and then a month or two later we're going to go back to the Omoda side and launch a mid-size C7 SUV," he said. The hybrid Omoda C9's 34.5kw-hour battery pack offers an all-electric range of up to 150kms, while the combined range is rated at 1,100km – ideal for longer journeys on South Africa's roads with limited charging infrastructure. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Citizen
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
440kW Omoda C9 PHEV coming to South Africa this month
The Omoda C9 PHEV is set to launch in South Africa this month, bringing a formidable plug-in hybrid punch to the SUV market. Looking for a new or used Omoda C9? Find it here with CARmag! This new offering boasts 440kW of power and 915N.m of torque, derived from a 1.5l turbo-petrol engine combined with four electric motors. This output positions the C9 PHEV to challenge performance SUVs that are significantly more expensive. While official acceleration figures are yet to be released, the substantial power output suggests a 0–100km/h time that could potentially rival some German competitors. Of particular note are the impressive efficiency claims: Omoda states the C9 PHEV consumes just 1.4l/100km and features a 34.5kWh battery, providing an electric-only range of up to 150km — more than double what many PHEVs currently offer. The total claimed range extends to approximately 1 100km, and DC fast charging allows for a 30% to 80% charge in just 25 minutes. Visually, the C9 PHEV is nearly identical to its petrol-powered counterpart, with the key differences lying beneath the surface and in its badging. Initially, South Africa will receive only the top-spec Explore model. While final specifications are pending confirmation, it is anticipated to include features such as 20-inch wheels, Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and heated seats for all occupants. Given the petrol C9's existing features, adaptive suspension and a 540-degree camera system are also likely to be carried over. Related: Review: Omoda C7 SHS As a reminder, the Omoda lineup currently comprises two models, namely the 2.0TGDI 400T Inspire and the 2.0TGDI 400 T Explore AWD, which are priced at R785 900 and R885 900 respectively. The jury is still out on pricing, but with the added tech, it could approach the clutches of a seven-figure price tag. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post 440 kW Omoda C9 PHEV Coming to South Africa in June appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Perth Now
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
What is Omoda Jaecoo, and how is this new brand different to Chery?
You may have noticed Omoda Jaecoo showrooms are starting to pop up around the country, but just what is this unfamiliar auto brand? Effectively, it's a sister brand to Chinese brand Chery, and while Omoda Jaecoo vehicles will be sold in separate showrooms, some dealerships will offer both Chery and Omoda Jaecoo franchises. There's some overlap between the two brands, but Omoda Jaecoo chief commercial officer Roy Muñoz explained the difference. 'I'd call it next step up from Chery,' he explained to CarExpert. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Jaecoo J7 Credit: CarExpert Within this new brand, there are vehicles badged just as Jaecoos, with Omoda-badged vehicles to follow. Mr Muñoz says these will complement each other. 'Omoda is more the crossover SUV, whereas the Jaecoos are more the rugged, luxurious SUVs,' he explained. 'So crossover meaning sometimes with the coupe styling, swooping rear roofline.' Thus far, Omoda Jaecoo offers only the Jaecoo J7 mid-size SUV, a rival for the Toyota RAV4, and the Jaecoo J8 large SUV, a five-seat alternative to the likes of the Kia Sorento. The J7 lineup opens at $34,990 drive-away, or $5000 more than the current base price of the similarly sized Chery Tiggo 7 Pro. Omoda C9 Credit: CarExpert The Omoda C9, a mid-size SUV, is due on sale here in August, while the Omoda 7 (pictured below) is set to follow at some point. Officially debuted globally in 2023, Omoda Jaecoo exists only outside of the Chinese market, and is part of a rather confusing export strategy by China's largest car exporter, with 1.14 million overseas sales in 2024. For example, Chery already sells its Jetour and Exeed vehicles in markets like the Middle East, and is planning to launch Tiggo – a nameplate used on Chery SUVs – as a standalone brand in Europe, along with new brand Lepas revealed at this year's Shanghai motor show. Chery also sells its vehicles under the Chirey nameplate in Mexico, while its electric vehicle (EV) brand iCar will be sold in some markets as iCaur. And no, we don't know how to pronounce that either. Omoda 7 Credit: CarExpert For now, Chery Australia is sticking to just its namesake and Omoda Jaecoo brands, but it has left the door open for others to follow. Chery Australia says it isn't expecting any other brands 'in the short term', but its local communications boss said more could follow. 'The clear message for us is 'You guys have got a big job on your hands certainly with Chery, certainly with Omoda Jaecoo, you guys do a good job with that, let's see what else potentially could come'.' said Chery Australia communications head Tim Krieger. 'But everyone's 100 per cent focused on those two brands at the moment, making the best of those opportunities.' Chery Tansuo 06 Credit: CarExpert Chery only returned to Australia in 2023, before it announced the Jaecoo half of Omoda Jaecoo in 2024, and then announced the Omoda half this year. That's a very ambitious rollout, and we asked Mr Muñoz how much of this is being driven by head office. 'Omoda Jaecoo is a global brand strategy. Certainly they listen to our feedback; we feed back as much as we can about how we think we should launch a brand or how we think a product should be introduced, but there is a bit of a global strategy that we need to execute,' he said. Omoda Jaecoo vehicles are sold under different brands in China, where the Jaecoo J7 is a Chery Tansuo 06 (pictured above), the Jaecoo J8 a Chery Tiggo 9 (pictured below, and not to be confused with the slightly different global Chery Tiggo 9 due here this year), and the Omoda C9 is an Exeed Yaoguang. 'What happens in the domestic market is different to what happens in the overseas markets,' explained Mr Muñoz. Chinese-market Chery Tiggo 9 Credit: CarExpert So how does Omoda Jaecoo differ from Chery, then, given half its vehicles are sold as Cherys in China? And how does it stand out when the automaker's namesake brand sells vehicles here in the same segments? 'Jaecoo is still focused on that premium adventure-type offering, so creature comforts you wouldn't normally see at this price point, luxury touch and feel. You've got your leather seats, suede roof liner, massaging seats, calf raises,' he said. 'Each brand has its own unique styling and speaks to a different part of the market.' Omoda Jaecoo vehicles also feature a longer eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, up from seven years for Chery vehicles. Global Chery Tiggo 9 Credit: CarExpert But in a market where even brands such as Jeep have called themselves premium, Omoda Jaecoo is reluctant to use the term. 'I wouldn't say it's the premium arm, but certainly it's the next level up from Chery. In my own terms, it's almost in that sub-premium category but you get the premium feel, features that you don't get at the price point,' said Mr Muñoz. 'That premium word, it's been thrown around, a bit of a buzz word, but it's definitely the next level up in terms of the product offering from the Chery Group.' The upcoming Chery Tiggo 9 (above), for example, wears slightly different styling to the closely related Jaecoo J8, and will miss out on some features like the latter's fragrance dispenser. Jaecoo J8 Credit: CarExpert Chery believes there's enough differentiation to prevent cannibalisation between the two brands. 'There's not much crossover at the moment. People who are after Omoda Jaecoo are just after Omoda Jaecoo,' said Mr Muñoz. 'I don't believe we're diluting. In fact, we're adding more options out there that people can choose from, from different price points, at different specification levels.' 'Different buyers as well. Chery is very focused on the family, urban buyer. Jaecoo is a bit more of that adventurous spirit,' said Mr Krieger. 'The design of the cars is different, the target audience is different, but I think there's room for both.' Chery C5 Credit: CarExpert Chery says it's 'falling into line' with a global strategy, though there are some quirks. The Chery Omoda 5 and Omoda E5 were recently renamed the Chery C5 (pictured above) and E5 in Australia, even though these are sold under the Jaecoo Omoda arm in other markets. 'The difference is that car was introduced into Australia under the Chery brand, whereas in other markets where it was sold it was always sold as an Omoda Jaecoo,' said Mr Krieger. In an attempt to alleviate confusion, these vehicles are being kept in Chery showrooms but being stripped of their Omoda badging. MORE: All the new SUVs coming to Australia from Chery and Omoda Jaecoo in 2025
