CHERY Australia has appointed Lucas Harris as its new managing director.

He will report directly to Chery Australia CEO Andy Zhang. Mr Harris previously Chery’s director of aftersales and product and joined the company in that role in February this year.

Chery said that Mr Harris brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the automotive industry, making him an excellent fit to lead Chery Australia into a new era of growth and elevate Chery’s presence in the Australian market.

On top: Lucas Harris leaps from aftersales and product director at Chery Australia to the Chinese importer’s MD, reporting to CEO Andy Zhang.

“His understanding of the automotive landscape and passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences align seamlessly with Chery’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction,” the company said in a statement.

As the new managing director, Mr Harris will oversee the strategic direction and operations of Chery Australia, driving initiatives to enhance sales and market share, introduce new products, and strengthen partnerships across the industry.

Chery Australia CEO Andy Zhang said: “Lucas’s impressive track record and leadership skills make him the ideal choice to lead Chery into its next phase of growth in the Australian market.

“We are confident that his expertise will contribute significantly to our ongoing success.”

Mr Harris expressed enthusiasm for his new role, stating: “I look forward to working with the talented team at Chery and building upon the brand’s legacy in the Australian automotive market.

“Together, we will continue to provide customers with exceptional products and services.”

Prior to joining Chery, Mr Harris was national service operations manager with Subaru Australia for four years.

Chery has recently launched the Tiggo 7 Pro medium SUV and has recorded more than 4800 sales since relaunching under a factory-owned distributor earlier in April 2023 with a growing retail network of 60 dealers across Australia.