Chinese Carmakers' Canadian Entry May Open Door to New Models in Israel

Chinese car brands Omoda and Jaecoo, both part of the Chery group, are preparing to enter the Canadian market, according to Automotive News. While Omoda and Jaecoo are new to Canada, Jaecoo is already a bestseller in Israel. The Canadian market's significance for Israel stems from vehicle safety and emissions standards, known as "taknana" in Hebrew. Israel currently adheres to US and European standards, meaning any car legal in those regions is also legal in Israel. Over a decade ago, Israel's Ministry of Transportation announced its intention to adopt Canadian standards as well. This move was initially driven by the desire to import American cars, as Canadian standards accommodate metric measurements (kilometers and liters) alongside the imperial system used in the US (miles and gallons). Cars certified under Canadian, American, or European standards are not necessarily destined for those markets but are manufactured to meet their legal requirements. While Chinese cars are not currently sold in the US, they are expected to become common in Canada, with Omoda and Jaecoo slated for release there this year. If these brands launch in Canada, models intended for the Canadian market will automatically become legal for sale in Israel. This could introduce new models to Israel that are not currently available, as their Canadian certification would make them compliant. Currently, some Israeli car importers already leverage Canadian standards to bring in specific models not sold in Europe, such as certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles produced to Canadian specifications.