iCaur, Chery's SUV brand focused on off-road-oriented vehicles, has begun preparations to enter the Vietnamese market by establishing a local communications channel and seeking distribution partners.

A social media page called iCaur Vietnam has recently appeared as Chery expands its product portfolio in Vietnam, with posts seeking distribution partners published since mid-August. The brand has yet to announce an official launch date, product line-up or the company responsible for distribution.

Chery positions iCaur as a brand focused on vehicles with off-road-oriented designs. Some of its products feature boxy styling, high ground clearance and electrified powertrains for driving across different types of terrain.

In Vietnam, iCaur could become part of the brand portfolio Chery is developing alongside Omoda and Jaecoo. Representatives of Omoda & Jaecoo had previously mentioned the possibility of introducing iCaur models to the Vietnamese market.

Chery is also planning to manufacture vehicles at a factory in Hung Yen. If the previously announced plans are implemented, some iCaur models for Vietnam could be assembled locally rather than imported as fully built-up vehicles.

V27 could be among iCaur's first models

The V27 has been introduced in several Southeast Asian markets and could be considered for the Vietnamese market. The SUV features boxy proportions, an upright body and an off-road-oriented design. It falls into the D-segment SUV class and, based on its positioning and design, could be compared with models such as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado rather than mainstream urban SUVs.

In Indonesia, the V27 is equipped with an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain. A 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine acts as a range extender for the electric system, while electric motors drive the wheels. In the standard configuration, the system produces around 248 PS and 300 Nm of torque, while the iWD version uses two electric motors, increasing total output to 448 PS and 505 Nm of torque.

Both versions are equipped with a 34.31 kWh battery. According to specifications for the Indonesian market, the vehicle can travel around 200 km using electric power alone. Combined with the petrol engine, its total claimed range is around 1,200 km.

iCaur's search for distribution partners is part of its preparations to enter Vietnam. However, key details, including the launch date, first model and pricing, have yet to be disclosed. If the V27 is selected as one of iCaur's first models for Vietnam, it would add an off-road-oriented SUV to the market, with an EREV powertrain and the higher output offered by the iWD version.