How Chery Turned a Sports Send-Off into a Quiet Win for Sustainability and Access

A practical send-off, not a headline grab

Chery, the Chinese carmaker, took an active role in the closing ceremony of the Asian Para Games. Rather than throw a flashy marketing party, the company focused on practical steps: greener transport for athletes and staff, better access routes, and reusable materials on site. The moves were quiet but visible — a steady push to show that making events accessible and less wasteful can be part of an automaker’s everyday work. For attendees, the difference was real: easier travel, fewer single-use items, and a clearer signal that mobility companies can help host inclusive events.

Sustainable logistics and materials behind the scenes

Chery’s approach leaned on three simple ideas: reduce emissions from travel, cut single-use waste, and partner with local suppliers. For transport, the company used a mix of low-emission buses and electric vans for shuttles. That reduced the need for many small, fuel-burning trips across the city.

Instead of single-use plates, banners and packaging, Chery deployed reusable or recyclable options. Food vendors used compostable serving ware and organizers set up clear stations for recycling and compost. The firm also brought in modular staging components that can be reused at other events, cutting the waste that normally follows big ceremonies.

Chery worked with local logistics partners to shorten delivery routes and schedule fewer, larger shipments. That kind of coordination matters; it cuts idling time and shrinks the convoy of service vehicles around venue neighborhoods. Organizers said some of these tweaks will be part of standard planning for future events.

The company also tracked emissions during the event and published a short summary afterward. While the data release was brief, it set a tone: transparency about the footprint of an event matters, even if the numbers are modest. Small events with better planning can add up to meaningful cuts in waste and fuel use when copied across venues.

Making mobility work for all athletes

Accessibility was a clear focus. Chery provided wheelchair-friendly shuttle routes and adapted vehicle interiors to fit wider seating and secure anchor points. Volunteers were trained to help with boarding and luggage, and venue routes were mapped to avoid steps and narrow corridors.

The company also tried small tech fixes. Where possible, signage used large fonts and high contrast. Charging spots for mobility devices were placed near entrances. And technicians were on hand to help repair assistive devices quickly so athletes could move on schedule.

Organizers said the goal was to remove small frictions so athletes could focus on competition, not logistics.

Such steps may sound small, but for someone using a wheelchair or a prosthetic limb, they cut stress and delay. That practical support was noted repeatedly by visiting teams.

Voices from athletes, organizers and partners

Feedback from the field mixed praise and practical notes. A few athletes thanked organizers for smoother transfers and better access to warm-up areas. Local NGOs highlighted the reusable materials as a positive step, and some said they hoped this would become the norm for similar events.

Organizers shared brief data points: fewer single-use items collected at disposal stations and a faster average boarding time for shuttle runs. They stopped short of calling the event carbon neutral, but said the changes made operations cleaner and easier.

Why this matters for carmakers and the road ahead

In the bigger picture, Chery’s work at the Asian Para Games sits at a crossroads of two trends: automakers pushing cleaner operations and a public demand for more accessible public spaces. For carmakers, supporting events is no longer just a branding exercise. It can test practical solutions from electric shuttles to modular staging that later show up in city projects or company fleets.

Still, some critics point out limits. A single event can only do so much. True change needs industry-wide shifts in manufacturing, supply chains, and long-term vehicle choices. Chery’s steps are practical and worth copying, but they won’t replace bigger policy and investment decisions needed to cut transport emissions and improve daily access for people with disabilities.

If companies keep combining practical fixes with public reporting, small wins at events can build momentum. For Chery, the closing ceremony was less about headlines and more about testing ideas where they matter — near the athletes, on the ground, and on the road ahead.

Sources

• prnewswire.com