Chery Automobile is sticking its finger in many pies as it enters new markets with a range of vehicles that look impressive. Some are markets that it’s making a return to, such as Australia with the new Omoda 5 NEV (new energy vehicle).

A press release sighted by GoAuto this week mentions the Chinese carmaker is “preparing to bring its safe and high-quality new models to the Australian market.” The first of those will be the Omoda 5 crossover that sports dual motor drive and a direct hybrid transmission that is capable of operating in 9 efficiency modes.

It further adds that the transmission has 11 gear combinations with a transmission control unit able to “calculate in real time the most suitable working gear” for any driving condition.

Also Read: Chery Omoda 5: Confirmed for Malaysia even before going on sale in China, we're getting the latest model

Apart from the dual motor drive versions, the Omoda 5 is available in select markets with either a 1.5-litre engine (156 PS and 230 Nm) or a 1.6-litre unit (199 PS / 290 Nm). Both are turbocharged petrol designs with help from a 48V electric hybrid system.

Currently, the electric motors that Chery offers have outputs of 75 PS and 160 Nm or 95 PS and 155 Nm.

Nonetheless, the press release didn’t specify which combo of petrol and dual electric motor will be sold in the Australian market when it’s launched.

Also Read: Bold and brash, Chery Omoda 5 debuts in China: 1.6T with 197 PS and 290 Nm, global exports in 2022

For now, it appears that Chery will return Down Under was its own entity, importing and selling directly. Previously, the cars were distributed by Ateco Group.

“As Chery's top heavyweight model, Omoda 5, combined with the excellent quality and assured safety performance of Chery cars, this premier car will absolutely meet the expectation of Australian consumers on quality and safety as well as style and fun,” the brand said in the statement.

Also Read: Chery Omoda 5 confirmed for Malaysia launch, watch out Toyota Corolla Cross!

Pricing has also yet to be concluded although in its home market, the Omoda 5 is priced from ¥110,000 (~RM 72,000) to ¥150,000 (~RM 98,500).

Chery is confident of in the quality of its products, having been in development since 1999. The battery cells are sourced from CATL as well as other top battery suppliers globally while the electric motors come from Yasakawa Electric in Japan.

The stability control system is a Bosch ESP 9.3 unit and it all runs on the “the most advanced quad core CPUs in the industry” that’s apparently from the same supplier as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). We’re not sure if that last one strengthens or weakens the confidence in the product but to each their own.

However, there’s a good reason to sourcing from the same suppliers as JLR. The Chinese carmaker has poached many of JLR’s employees. These include the R&D team that comprises engineers Peter Matkini and Huang Yong with former GM people in the form of Raymond Charles Bierzynski and Valdir Cavinatti.

Chery appears to be the epitome of global development with a development division comprising engineers from seven nations who can count on the likes of BMW, Ford, GM, Hyundai, JLR, Mazda, Opel, PSA and Saab as their former places of employment.

Lastly, Chery added that it conducts crash worthiness testing in its own facilities to ensure the “meet or exceed the laws and regulations of China, Europe, America and the NCAP requirements.”