Chery Retains No. 1 Automaker Spot in Kantar BrandZ Top 50 for Ninth Year
Chery ranked No.1 among automakers and 11th overall in the 2026 Kantar BrandZ Top 50 Chinese Global Brand Builders, its ninth straight year on the list.
- 11th
- 9
- 20,000+
- 1,000+
What Happened
On July 24, Kantar released the 2026 Kantar BrandZ Top 50 Chinese Global Brand Builders ranking. Chery finished 11th overall and took the No.1 position in the automotive category. It marked the ninth consecutive year the automaker has appeared on the list. The report says Chinese brands have entered a stage of 'smart growth' driven by brand equity.
No. 1
11th overall among all Chinese global brand builders in 2026 Kantar BrandZ
During the summit, Zhang Guibing, Executive Vice President of Chery Auto and President of Chery International, said Chinese auto exports have entered a 3.0 era of deep local globalization and brand value transformation. He said winning factors today are consumer mindshare and long-term local trust, not just cost or product strength. Chery's globalization philosophy is 'In somewhere, For somewhere, Be somewhere' — becoming a local enterprise with Chinese DNA. The company localizes talent, R&D, and supply chains to bridge cultural gaps and mitigate geopolitical risks.
Chery says technology is its competitive moat. It has eight R&D centers worldwide and more than 20,000 overseas employees, 85% of whom are local hires. Its powertrain strategy spans gasoline, HEV, PHEV, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel vehicles. The aim is to meet diverse mobility needs across different regulatory environments. Chery is also moving from product globalization to ecosystem globalization.
- Since 2026, AiMOGA robotics brand has sold over 1,000 units in more than 50 countries and regions.
- Its new Rosslyn Plant in South Africa retained all 692 existing staff and created nearly 3,000 additional jobs across the supply chain.
- Chery has been named among China's Top 20 Enterprises with Excellent Overseas Image for five consecutive years.
- It has been on the Fortune China ESG Impact List for three straight years and made the 2026 Fortune Highly Admired Chinese Companies roster.
“Mutual benefit creates shared success; localized adaptation ensures enduring growth.”
Chery says securing the ranking is a milestone, not the end. It plans to keep elevating its brand, expanding its global footprint, and innovating future technologies to build a world-renowned global automotive brand.
Previously from Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.
Chery has been deepening its global push this year: it joined the IATF board as the third Asian member with voting rights, unveiled a 'For Family' brand proposition at its international summit with a goal to add 1 million family users, and opened an ecosystem exhibition in Beijing showcasing robotics and hybrid tech.
- Chery Auto Joins IATF Board as Third Asian Member with Voting Rights
- Chery aims to add 1 million family users in 2026, unveils 'For Family' brand proposition at global summit
- Chery Ecosystem Exhibition Opens in Beijing, Showcasing Home Ecosystem and Robotics
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.'s official releases.
Why this matters
The ranking signals that Chinese automakers are shifting from exporting cheap products to building trusted local brands. Chery's placement shows that long-term investment in local manufacturing and hiring can boost brand value. For consumers in overseas markets, it means Chery aims to be seen as a local company with Chinese DNA, not just an importer.
Terms in This Story
- BrandZ
- A global brand equity ranking published by Kantar that measures how strong brands are in the minds of consumers.
- HEV
- Hybrid electric vehicle; combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor, but cannot be plugged in.
- PHEV
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle; similar to a hybrid but with a larger battery that can be recharged by plugging in.
- Ro-ro ship
- Roll-on/roll-off ship; a vessel designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars and trucks, that can drive on and off.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.