I've owned 2 Chery QQ's in the past 3 years. Sold one because I needed the money, and now regret letting go of it. Here's the good and bad I've experienced with the two cars:
Bad:
Clutch cable frayed and stretched at ~8k (replaced for 3,400 rupees). Coolant overflow bottle cap cracked at ~6k (replaced coolant bottle with Chevy Joy original for 300 rupees). A/C button wouldn't remain in "on" position at ~ 12k (bayonet mechanism inside switch repaired for 50 rupees). Inside door handle snapped in two ~ 12.4k (replaced for 200 rupees). Took repeated visits to my CNG mechanic to get the tuning for the "factory-fitted" kit right (actually the parts are imported by the dealer and installed in Pakistan after the car has been released by customs in Karachi). Weak with a/c on (about as strong as a Mehran with a/c on, which is to say not very). The anti-theft system takes some getting used to; got my arm trapped in the automatic window once and still have to arm/disarm the system a few times before starting the car when I don't remember whether the ignition-kill mechanism has been activated or not. The power steering is too quick/strong at high speed and can be a hazard in the hands of a nervous driver. Quality of mechanical materials in engine bay is suspect (rust and corrosion set in within the first 5k of ownership). Arrogant attitude of the master franchisee/dealer for Pakistan makes for tension when dealing with warranty issues. Poor dealer network. Almost no advertising other than that one tv spot and that one newspaper ad that run every so often. Dealers should be forced to drive around in that horrible plasticky blue color they're trying to sell to the public. Lack of availability of the nicer colors.
Gear-shift is rough and indecisive (like a Mehran). Low quality vinyl in bumpers makes them more likely to crack/split instead of flexing and dimpling (which makes it more likely that they'll have to be replaced instead of being repaired). For some strange reason there are two switches for the headlights (one on the console and the other on the steering wheel column), and it’s very confusing to turn the light on and off.
Good:
Slightly better fit and finish inside than the locally assembled Cultus. Lots of standard features in the price. Decent a/c (even on cng). Strong climb on bridges/hills (even with a/c but not with a/c and cng). Good economy on petrol (~15 km/l) but should be better given the small size of the engine. DOHC makes for a little bit more power than it's 800 cc competitors. Leg-room in rear seat is excellent. Interior length of cabin is almost as much as a Corolla (from the rear seat back to the front windshield), so it feels like you're riding in a much bigger car. Leg room in front seats is as much as a Cultus but the depth of the dashboard makes it seem more spacious. VERY Strong power steering makes it a pleasure to drive at slow speed (but a danger to drive at high speed). Exterior paint quality is as good as an expensive imported Japanese car. All the electronics have been reliable. Alloy rims are standard and quite nice.
My conclusion is that this is the best of the Chinese cars and if the master dealer improves the way his dealer network (profit margins) and customers (warranty and after-sales issues) are treated this brand will succeed in the marketplace. Also, if the engine is bumped up to the Chinese market spec. 1,000 cc model this will be an extremely desirable car (in its own size/displacement segment).
If you have any more questions, please ask and I will try to answer them. I still have one of the 2 Chery's I bought.
Regards,
v
p.s.
I haven't driven a Chevy Joy but have the following impressions:
1/ It's a Daewoo design rebadged as a GM product.
2/ The distributorship in Pakistan seems to take pains not to represent itself as the master franchisee with exclusive distribution rights in Pakistan, which concerns me because their ability to provide parts and after-sales service might be impaired if the nature of their relationship with GM only consists of a distribution agreement (and GM has no involvement in the structuring of the dealer network). My point is that GM may only be selling the "Chevy" cars to Nexus in job-lots with no long-term marketing plan in mind.
3/I'll have to take a test drive in a Chevy Joy to have some basis for comparison between the two cars.