Chery QQ

Chery QQ

Manufacturer	Chery Automobile
Also called	Chery QQ3 (China) Chery IQ (Chile) Chery Sweet (Russia) MVM 110 (Iran)
Production	2003–present
Assembly	Wuhu, Anhui, China Kaliningrad, Russia (Avtotor)[1] Jakarta, Indonesia (Unicor Prima Motor)[citation needed]
Class	City car
Body style	5-door hatchback
Engine	0.8 L SQR372 I3 1.1 L SQR472F I4
Transmission	5-speed manual EZ-drive Semi-automatic transmission
Wheelbase	2,340 mm (92.1 in)
Length	3,550 mm (139.8 in)
Width	1,495 mm (58.9 in)
Height	1,485 mm (58.5 in)

The Chery QQ (codename S11) is a city car produced by the Chinese manufacturer Chery Automobile since 2003. In 2006, the car was renamed the Chery QQ3 in China, when Chery launched their new supermini, the Chery QQ6.

Engine

The QQ is available with two gasoline-powered engines (both EURO III compliant):

• 0.8 L SQR372 DOHC 12V I3 — 38 kW (51 hp) at 6,000 rpm, 70 N·m (52 lb·ft) at 3,500 rpm
• 1.1 L DA465Q-1A2/D SOHC 16V I4 — 38.5 kW (52 hp) at 5,300 rpm, 83 N·m (61 lb·ft) at 3,000 rpm
• 1.1 L SQR472F DOHC 16V I4 — 50 kW (67 hp) at 6,000 rpm, 90 N·m (66 lb·ft) at 3,500 rpm

Copyright controversy

The QQ became the center of an industrial copyright and intellectual rights controversy, as General Motors claimed the car was a copy of the Daewoo Matiz (which is marketed outside South Korea as the Chevrolet Spark). GM executives demonstrated the extent of the design duplication, noting for example that the doors of the QQ and those of the Spark are interchangeable ^[2] without modification.

GM China Group indicated the two vehicles "shared remarkably identical body structure, exterior design, interior design and key components"^[2] MotorAuthority.com^[3] and Car and Driver called the QQ a "carbon copy", while the International Herald Tribune, in a 2005 article, referred to it as a clone.^[4]

The Detroit News reported that "the dispute reflects the confusion, risks and ambitions in China's new auto industry, where global carmakers are battling pugnacious upstarts for a piece of what may become the world's largest auto market."^[5]

Safety

In winter

Though the Chery QQ and the Daewoo Matiz are superficially similar cars, their safety ratings differ dramatically. A Euro NCAP front offset crash test showed that the driver's injuries in the QQ are worse than those sustained in the Matiz. Upon impact, the QQ driver will most likely suffer severe (possibly fatal) head trauma, and trauma to the neck and chest areas. The first generation Daewoo Matiz achieved a three/two star driver/passenger EuroNCAP rating .^[6]

Global markets

Iran

In Iran, the Daewoo Matiz had been assembled by local company called Kerman Khodro since 2000 in a joint venture with Daewoo. After being acquired by GM following its 2001 bankruptcy, Daewoo stopped supplying Complete knock down kits to Iran due to a ban imposed by GM. As a result, Kerman Khodro licensed the near identical Chery QQ as a replacement and put it into production at their subsidiary Modiran Vehicle Manufacturing Company.^[7]

Philippines

There are three engine variants available in the Philippines: 0.8L Manual Transmission priced at Php 319,000, 0.8L Automatic Transmission priced at Php 373,000, and 1.1L Manual Transmission priced at Php 349,000 (price ranges roughly around US $7,000-7,500.)^{[citation needed]} The QQ is one of cheapest cars available in the Philippine automobile market. QQs in red are commonly used by Coca-Cola Philippines as company cars, replacing the Hyundai Getz. In mid-2009, the car was renamed QQ3 due to the introduction of the QQ6 in the country.

Singapore

The QQ is sold in Singapore and is one of the cheapest cars in the city state.

South Africa

Four QQ3 models are available in South Africa since May 2008. It was the cheapest car when launched.^[8]

Thailand

QQ cars are available in Thailand since 2009. This car is not the cheapest car in the country, due to high car taxes and high tariffs since they are not built in Thailand or an ASEAN country, but imported from China, due to VIN code. Its non-Japanese competitors, with similar prices , are Naza Forza, Proton Savvy and Kia Picanto.

QQ cars are also has similar prices to Chery A1, a bigger Chery car model.

Chile

It´s badged as Chery IQ since QQ spells as "cuckoo" ("Wacky" in Chile)

Vietnam

The QQ is the cheapest car in Vietnam.^{[citation needed]}

Pakistan

Cherry QQ 0.8L was sold at specific dealerships throughout the country.

Sri Lanka

The Chery QQ is one of the cheapest cars in Sri Lanka. It was introduced with a huge advertising campaign. Its main competitors are Maruti 800 and Perodua Viva.

Gallery

• 

  Rear.

• 

  Interior.

• 

  Engine.

References

1. ^ "Группа компаний Автотор :: История" (in Russian). Avtotor.ru. http://www.avtotor.ru/about/history.html. Retrieved 2010-10-05. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "China to Foreign Automakers: Drop Dead". Frank Williams. 2007-08-16. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/editorials/china-to-foreign-automakers-drop-dead/. Retrieved 2007-12-17. 
3. ^ "China Chinese Chery QQ – a carbon copy of the Daewoo Matiz". MotorAuthority.com 6 July 2006. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/industry/chinese-chery-qq-a-carbon-copy-of-the-daewoo-matiz/. 
4. ^ "China's quest to sell cars in the U.S.". International Herald Tribune, Chris Buckley, Jan 7, 2005. http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/06/business/cars.php. 
5. ^ "Chinese carmaker ambitious, controversial". Detroit News, Christine Tierney. http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0501/02/A08-47232.htm. 
6. ^ http://www.autoevolution.com/crash-tests/daewoo-matiz-1998.html
7. ^ "Chery Boosts Its Presence In Iran". Inside Line. 2007-08-13. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=122157. Retrieved 2007-12-17. 
8. ^ "Home". motoring.co.za. http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=751&fArticleId=4393985. Retrieved 2010-10-05. 

External links

• Chery QQ official website (Chinese)
• Chery QQ Global site
• Chery QQ Auto Parts Catalog
• Chery QQ in Belarus