Chery Joint Venture New Vehicle Enters Japanese K-Car Market! Benchmarked Against BYD Sea Otter!

The joint venture company EMT, funded by Chinese automotive giant Chery, plans to launch the micro electric vehicle Emta in Japan in 2027. Prior to this, the brand has released the exterior design of this mass-produced micro vehicle. This vehicle will compete with micro electric vehicles from Nissan and Suzuki, as well as the BYD Seagull.

Chery-invested EMT's upcoming electric micro vehicle Emta (Source: CarNewsChina)

Recently disclosed patent drawings in China revealed the exterior details of this small car, including an off-road style Soft-Roader (light off-road) version.

This EMT electric micro vehicle also adopts the mainstream boxy shape of Japanese K-Car. Emta has made significant modifications based on the concept car released in the first half of this year, presenting the final mass-production appearance.

The front end has undergone significant changes. The protruding bumper on the concept car was replaced with upper and lower grille trim + lower fog lamp cluster. Headlights and grille are arranged below the hood, the black grille narrows in the middle, appearing more slender.

The mass-production version wheels are no longer close to the four corners of the body like the concept car (concept car is more sporty, full of futuristic feel), wheels retract inward, the body is stretched according to Japanese K-Car regulatory size limits, utility is prioritized.

There are also multiple mass-production adjustments on the side: equipped with traditional pull-out door handles, rear door handle arranged beside the B-pillar; rail structure indicates the rear door adopts the side-sliding door common in K-Car.

The rear end is equipped with a full-width taillight bar echoing the front light group style. Between the taillights, the panel above the license plate frame can be optioned with custom LED logos, or only decorative paintwork.

The light off-road version appeared simultaneously, very noteworthy. The Soft-Roader version adds black anti-scratch surrounds around the body, a newly designed front bumper, shape similar to off-road bull bars.

Like other K-Cars focusing on outdoor style, this off-road kit is most likely just exterior decoration; expected to be equipped with small AT tires, slightly raising ground clearance.

Emta power parameters have not yet been announced, it has the chance to be equipped with a dual-motor four-wheel-drive system.

Singapore-headquartered electric mobility technology company EMT (Electric Mobility Technologies), jointly established by Chery, Jiangsu Yueda Group, Autobacs Seven, Gotion High-tech, Anest Iwata multiple parties.

Yueda also has a joint venture with Kia in China; Autobacs is Japan's largest automotive product retail chain; Anest Iwata is a Japanese air compressor, vacuum pump, spray equipment manufacturer.

Chery provides the whole vehicle platform, electric drive system, autonomous driving technology; production is handled by the former Kia Yancheng Factory (Yueda Yancheng Factory); Gotion High-tech, invested by Volkswagen, is responsible for battery supply.

Autobacs is responsible for the Japanese local sales channels, Anest Iwata provides after-sales and quality support. Emta's design team comes from Honda, Mazda. The brand is also simultaneously developing three models: Hatchback, SUV, MPV. If market sales performance is good, it plans to build a factory in Japan for production after 2030.