The 2025 Chery Brand User Summit underscored the company’s growing dedication to sustainability, environmental innovation, and user-driven co-creation. Under the theme “Co-Create The New Move,” Chery showcased its latest products, technologies, and ecological initiatives that position the brand as a global leader in responsible mobility.
Safeguarding the Planet’s Glacial Lifelines
At the summit, Chery’s HIMLA brand unveiled a groundbreaking collaboration with glacier scientists to help protect the “Third Pole” at the eastern edge of the Himalayas — one of Earth’s most critical water sources.
In partnership with the Centre for Climate Action, Norwegian environmental advocate Mei Yuanmei, and Chinese glaciologist Liu Qiao, HIMLA will fund the installation of remote monitoring towers that collect long-term data in high-risk glacial regions. The initiative aims to minimize repeated human expeditions, improve scientific safety, and preserve the ecosystems that sustain billions of people downstream.
This project reflects HIMLA’s deep alignment with ESG principles, demonstrating how mobility innovation can actively contribute to the preservation of the planet’s most fragile environments.
Innovation Serving Exploration and Sustainability
Chery also introduced the HIMLA Camping Conversion, a pioneering dual-purpose vehicle that merges recreation with research capability. Built on the rugged HIMLA bakkie platform, the vehicle doubles as a mobile research base capable of supporting scientific teams in remote or extreme environments.
Equipped with sustainable design features — including an electric pop-up tent, modular equipment storage, and energy-efficient systems — it provides safety, comfort, and environmental responsibility even in sub-zero conditions. This innovation extends HIMLA’s mission of enabling exploration while minimizing ecological impact.
Driving Green Mobility: The HIMLA EV
The summit also marked the debut of the HIMLA EV, an all-electric bakkie delivering a 510 km range on an 88 kWh battery pack. Matching the performance and versatility of its petrol counterpart, the HIMLA EV demonstrates how electrification can power real-world toughness without compromising sustainability.
“In South Africa, bakkies are more than just vehicles — they’re part of our culture,” said Verene Petersen, National Brand and Marketing Manager at Chery South Africa. “HIMLA’s arrival in 2026 will redefine what’s possible for eco-conscious drivers who still demand strength, innovation, and adventure.”
Designing for People and the Planet
Rounding off the summit, Chery revealed the world’s first seven-seat transformable multi-SUV concept, built through global user collaboration. Designed around nine family and outdoor scenarios, the concept reflects Chery’s philosophy of designing for real needs, real families, and a sustainable future.
Through this initiative, Chery is inviting users worldwide to co-create mobility solutions that blend innovation with ecological responsibility — proving that the future of movement is both user-driven and planet-focused.
