Chery addresses speculation about sharing EV technology with India’s JSW Group, clarifying that the partnership is limited to parts supply, not tech transfer.
Chery, one of China’s fastest-growing automakers and a familiar name to Malaysians, has issued an official statement denying claims that it is transferring electric vehicle (EV) technology to India’s JSW Group.
The controversy began on July 24 when Bloomberg reported that Chery would supply technology and components to JSW to help the Indian conglomerate launch its own new energy vehicle brand. This sparked debate among industry observers and consumers, with many questioning whether such a move could compromise China’s competitive advantage in EV technology.
To clear the air, Chery released a clarification on July 25, stressing that the reports were misleading. The company explained that its cooperation with JSW is strictly focused on parts supply only, and no technology transfer or intellectual property sharing is involved.
“We have clarified this matter through official channels and wish to prevent any misinterpretation,” Chery stated.
Chery’s success in Malaysia is built on its advanced R&D capabilities and its reputation as the assembler of Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in China. Concerns about core technology being shared with potential competitors could have raised doubts about Chery’s long-term edge in design, safety, and performance. This piece of news matters more to those within the hyper-competitive Chinese automotive industry than it does to any Malaysian. In China, anti-Indian sentiment may be quite prevalent and Chery’s export success may have jealous rivals looking for any opportunity to bring the company’s reputation down.
Chery’s Global Expansion Continues
Chery’s global momentum shows no signs of slowing. Chery is frequently ranked first among Chinese carmakers in export volume for the first half of 2025, shipping 544,937 vehicles worldwide—a 3.5% year-on-year increase and over 100,000 units ahead of BYD.
Chery’s footprint now spans Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South America, with Southeast Asia (including Malaysia) playing a key role in its growth strategy.
As Chinese automakers expand globally, similar controversies may arise. The challenge for companies like Chery will be to balance global partnerships with the protection of proprietary technology—a move critical for maintaining their competitive edge in the booming EV market.
