Chery A3 History

The Chery A3 was revealed as a concept at the 2006 Beijing Motor Show and went on sale in September 2008. Its design was executed by the Italian studio Pininfarina — a genuine collaboration, not a knock-off — giving it clean, European-influenced lines that stood apart from most Chinese cars of the era.

In December 2008, the A3 became the first Chinese-branded car to receive a five-star rating from China-NCAP, a milestone that reinforced Chery's claim to engineering credibility. A five-door hatchback variant followed in early 2009 alongside the original four-door sedan.

The A3 remained in production through 2015. Though volumes were modest, its design pedigree and safety achievement made it historically important — a proof-of-concept that Chinese automakers could produce cars designed and rated to international standards.