Chinese automaker Chery has launched three new hybrid vehicle models in Tunisia, strengthening its foothold in North Africa’s automotive market as Chinese brands continue to expand their presence across the region.
The company unveiled the Tiggo 9 PHEV, Tiggo 4 HEV and Arrizo 8 PHEV models at a launch event in Tunis on Monday, according to a statement from Chery and its local distributor STA.
The rollout marks another step in the company’s rapid expansion strategy in Tunisia, where it has introduced six new models within six months, reflecting growing demand for hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles in the country.
Chery said it has become one of the top three passenger car brands in Tunisia by 2025, recording 70 percent growth in sales compared with the previous year, underscoring its rising popularity among Tunisian consumers.
The expansion comes amid a broader shift in Tunisia’s automotive market, where Chinese manufacturers have steadily increased their market share in recent years, benefiting from competitive pricing, diversified product ranges and growing interest in electric and hybrid mobility.
According to local media reports, Chinese automakers collectively accounted for 22.5 percent of Tunisia’s new car market in the first quarter of 2026, signalling a significant structural change in the country’s vehicle import landscape.
Industry analysts say the surge reflects both stronger Chinese export capacity in the automotive sector and Tunisia’s demand for more affordable alternatives to European and Japanese brands, particularly as consumers face rising fuel costs and economic pressure.
Hybrid models such as plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are gaining traction in North African markets as governments gradually promote cleaner energy transitions while infrastructure for full electric vehicles remains limited.
Chery’s latest models are part of a broader push by Chinese automakers to capture emerging markets in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Europe, where demand for cost-effective, fuel-efficient vehicles continues to grow.
The company has increasingly positioned itself as a key global competitor in the mid-range vehicle segment, leveraging advances in electric mobility technology and expanding production capacity.
Tunisia’s automotive sector has seen rising diversification in recent years, with Chinese brands gradually challenging established European manufacturers that have traditionally dominated imports into the North African country.
Analysts note that China’s growing automotive presence in Tunisia mirrors wider trends across Africa, where Chinese firms are expanding into infrastructure, manufacturing and consumer markets through a combination of exports, assembly partnerships and local distribution agreements.
For Tunisia, the influx of new models and brands has increased consumer choice but also heightened competition among dealers in a market constrained by foreign exchange pressures and import regulations.
Chery’s latest launch is expected to further intensify competition in the hybrid segment, as demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles continues to grow amid global energy price volatility.
The company did not disclose sales targets for the new models but said the expansion forms part of its broader strategy to deepen its presence in North Africa and accelerate adoption of new energy vehicles in emerging markets.
