Chery Eastar History

The Eastar (codenamed B11) launched in 2003 as Chery's mid-size family sedan, measuring roughly 4.77 metres with a 2.70-metre wheelbase. Its styling drew heavily from the Daewoo Magnus/Chevrolet Epica platform, and it was offered with 1.8-, 2.0-, and 2.4-litre petrol engines.

Modest domestic sales peaked at around 9,500 units in 2005 before competition intensified. The Eastar found more traction as an export product: it was assembled in Ukraine from 2006 and reached a range of markets where Chery was building its footprint. A longer Eastar Limousine variant was also produced in small numbers for government and fleet use.

Production continued in various forms until 2016, spanning both a first and second generation (the latter facelifted around 2011), before the Arrizo sedan family superseded it entirely.