$10,990; Australia's cheapest car just got cheaper
$1000 Cash back for Chinese Chery J1 hatchback sets new benchmarkChinese car maker Chery has fired the first shot in the small-car price war by reducing the price of its J1 hatchback, by $1000 to just $10,990 drive away no more to pay after a $1000 cash back.
The special deal makes the Chery J1 Australia's cheapest car -- the next most expensive are the Proton S16 at $11,990 and the Suzuki Alto at $12,490 and Hyundai Getz at $12,990.
The limited deal is for the next three months and is believed to have been driven by a strong Australian dollar and favourable exchange rates.
The Chery J1 -- slightly smaller in size than most light cars -- is powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine and is available with five-speed manual transmission only. It has only two airbags (the same as the Proton S16 and Hyundai Getz, although the Alto has six) and is available with anti-lock brakes only (the Getz does not come with ABS and the Alto comes with stability control as standard).
The lack of stability control means that for the time being the Chery J1 cannot be sold in Victoria, where the technology is compulsory on all new cars introduced there after January this year. Despite limited advertising so far, the first Chinese-branded car to be sold across Australia is still making a small but significant impact on the light car class.
Ateco boss Neville Critchton told the Carsales Network that the Chery J1 was selling well and there have been a number of running changes to the car with each shipment.
"Chery has been absolutely fantastic at working with us to make sure the quality of these cars is up to scratch."
In other news relating to the Chery J1, the independent crash test authority ANCAP is understood to have tested the vehicle and the results are due to be published in the next month.
The Carsales Network understands the Chery J1 has scored an average rating of three stars, however ANCAP and the vehicle distributor declined to confirm if this was true.
Visit again soon for our road test of the new Chery J1 hatchback.
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