Hertz Israel Internal Memos Warn of Frequent Failures and High Maintenance for Chery Cars
Hertz Israel internal memos reveal widespread reliability issues and lengthy repair delays for Chinese-made Chery vehicles, marking the second major leasing dispute in months.
Internal correspondence from Hertz Israel, one of the country's largest leasing and rental companies, reveals growing dissatisfaction with Chinese-made Chery vehicles, citing frequent technical failures, extended repair times, and high maintenance costs. According to leaked messages obtained by Calcalist, Hertz representatives warned customers about reliability issues and elevated operational expenses.
In one communication sent to clients, a Hertz representative noted: "Chery prices are quite high because the vehicles are full of malfunctions and spend months in the garage." Another message stated: "We are experiencing some issues with Chery vehicles... Keep in mind that sometimes customers link a less reliable car with poor service." A third quote highlighted that lease pricing for these models is elevated due to exceptionally high upkeep costs.
This marks the second instance in a short period where a major Israeli leasing firm has expressed open frustration with Chery. Previously, Budget Israel issued a letter complaining about slow spare parts delivery, lengthy garage wait times, and unresolved technical glitches, though it later walked back the statement and praised the brand's quality.
Chery models, along with other Chinese automotive brands, have surged in popularity across Israeli corporate fleets, driven by tax incentives for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs). However, the technical complexity of these advanced powertrains requires specialized servicing at official importer garages rather than in-house fleet facilities, creating logistical bottlenecks.
Industry data shows massive deployment of Chery products in the Israeli market. Between January and August, Omoda and Jaecoo—both subsidiaries of the Chery conglomerate—delivered 29,950 vehicles combined according to the Vehicle Importers Association, while Chery-branded units alone reached 24,000 deliveries, placing the brand near the top of national sales charts.
Responding to the reports, Hertz Israel stated that it operates a fleet of approximately 50,000 vehicles, maintains strong partnerships with all local importers, and has purchased over 1,000 Chery cars this year alone, basing its pricing entirely on professional economic metrics. Meanwhile, Chery importer Prisma (Pryisby) emphasized that the brand has achieved nearly 80,000 deliveries in under four years, acknowledging rapid growth challenges and outlining ongoing service upgrades, including expanded technical staff and newly opened authorized service centers.
