2011 Chery J1 cash back extended, price remains $10,990

Daniel Cotterill from Chery Motors’ Australian importer, Ateco Automotive, said the Chinese-sourced Chery J1 five-door hatchback would continue to be sold for $11,990 driveaway with $1000 cash back (making the total price just $10,990) while exchange rates remained favourable.

Mr Cotterill said it was his understanding that the cash back offer had to be accompanied by an end date to comply with consumer laws, but admitted Ateco and Chery had little intention of removing the incentive at the end of this month.

The cash back program was launched on April 28, with Chery Automotive Australia general manager Dinesh Chinnappa confirming the brand was happy to “pass on the benefit of the strong Australian dollar to the Australian car buying public”.

After two months on sale in Australia, 95 Chery J1 vehicles were registered across the country (except in Victoria, where the J1 is banned due to its lack of electronic stability control). May sales figures will be released in the coming days, which will give us an indication of how popular the cash back offer has been.

Mr Cotterill said it was still “very early days” for the brand and it was difficult to determine the success of price reduction after such a short time, but admitted the $1000 cash back offer was a tremendous incentive for people in the market for an inexpensive new light car.

The 2011 Chery J1 is powered by a 1.3-litre petrol engine with 62kW of power and 122Nm of torque. Its combined cycle fuel consumption is 6.7 litres/100km.

Standard features include alloy wheels, air-conditioning, six-speaker CD player and electric windows and mirrors.

Safety features include dual front airbags, ABS, EBD and front seatbelt pretensioners, although it misses out on side and curtain airbags and ESC.

All Chery vehicles are covered by a three-year, 100,000km warranty in Australia.