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JAECOO J7 AWD Arrives In Malaysia For Road Testing

Amid the worldwide shift towards electrification and digital transformation, the automotive industry is witnessing an unprecedented surge in international expansion. Malaysia emerges as a key market in this global endeavour, and at the forefront of this movement is JAECOO, a brand under Chery, strategically crafted for international market expansion, focusing on delivering captivating products tailored to the refined lifestyle preferences of a newly emerged professional demographic.

JAECOO is dedicated to developing exceptional urban off-road SUVs within the premium segment, aligning with the evolving preferences of the contemporary consumer. The brand is making its mark in the fiercely competitive automotive market with its “Born Global” philosophy, emphasising its commitment to global performance and standards.

The introduction of JAECOO is well underway, with the arrival of the first two units of the right-hand drive JAECOO J7 AWD in Malaysia. These units are undergoing rigorous road testing to ensure the highest standards of performance and safety. An exclusive preview has been extended to potential dealers and investors, creating anticipation for showroom openings. Preliminary pre-introduction marketing initiatives are set to build excitement ahead of the official launch in the Malaysian market in 2024.

A 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine with 194hp and 290Nm of torque powers the global specification. However, we are still unsure of the Malaysian specification because the two units that arrived here are all-wheel-drive whilst the ones in China are front-wheel-drive.

To keep enthusiasts and potential customers informed, JAECOO Malaysia has officially launched its Facebook page. The official website, expected to be ready by January 2024, will serve as a comprehensive source of information. In the interim, customers can explore additional details on the JAECOO Global website.

JAECOO Malaysia has also kickstarted its dealer recruitment program, preparing for the introduction of the first model in the coming year. As the brand gears up for its official entry into the Malaysian market, it is poised to redefine the urban off-road SUV experience, offering cutting-edge technology and a travel experience like no other. Stay tuned for further updates and events from JAECOO Malaysia.

Chery Malaysia Delivers First Locally Built Models

Chery Malaysia announced the successful completion and delivery of the first Completely Knocked Down (CKD) cars, the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8Pro.

The handover event took place at the Inokom CKD Plant in Kulim, Kedah. The symbolic key was passed from Mr. Sui Keng Huat, Managing Director of Inokom Corporation, to Mr. Xu Jing Zhong, Plant Operation Director of Chery Malaysia.

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Chery Re-Enters Malaysia With RM170 Million Investment

To spearhead its salvo at the ASEAN market, Chery has selected Malaysia as its regional hub for Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles. This is a significant turning point for Malaysia’s automotive industry, where a known Chinese OEM has a longstanding presence.

For its growth plans in Malaysia, the Chinese automaker has agreed to invest an initial capital of RM170 million.

According to Tengku Zafrul, it is anticipated that the ASEAN EV market would expand by approximately 33% annually, reaching US$2.7 billion (RM12.6 billion) by 2027. From the standpoint of the manufacturing sector, mass electrification in the automotive industry fits in well with our national ESG and net zero strategy. To that end, Malaysia’s attempts to decarbonize its economy will be aided by the release of Chery’s new electric vehicle (EV) models, which will also help expand the country’s EV market.

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Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Launched: 256hp, 390Nm – RM159,800

Chery is no longer the brand we knew of from 20 years ago. The company is vastly different and has five major global R&D centres with a team of over 7,000 people actively conducting research and development.

Besides that, Chery now has 10 major factories, 1,500 overseas service outlets and boasts 11.3 million vehicles sold worlwide.

The company is obviously much different now and has the most advanced manufacturing techniques to attain excellent quality.

On the Malaysian front, Chery has launched the Omoda 5 and the Tiggo 8 Pro and we were taken away by the pricing! For this article we will focus on the Tiggo 8 Pro. This one aims to take on the big boys, such as the Proton X90 and Kia Sorento.

Unlike the Omoda 5, the Tiggo 8 Pro comes in a single luxury variant and we are not complaining as this single variant offers more than enough.

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Chery Launches The Omoda 5: 156hp, 230Nm – RM108,800!

While Chery may have not have enjoyed a good brand perception 20 years ago, they have improved and now have the numbers to support R&D to develop their own technologies and invest in the most advanced manufacturing techniques to attain excellent quality.

Chery recently launched the Omoda 5 and the Tiggo 8 Pro and we were taken away by the pricing! For this article we will focus on the Omoda 5. It aims to compete with cars like the Honda HR-V and Proton X50 in the lucrative B-segment crossover market.

The Omoda 5 comes in two variants: The Omoda 5 C (comfort) and the Omoda 5 H (honor).

The Omoda 5 measures at 4400 mm in length, 1830 mm in width and 1588 mm in height and is capable of seating 5. It is built on the Modern T1X Platform. All variants include split LED headlights and 18-inch black alloy turbine wheels.

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Chery Partners With Inokom For Local Assembly

Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysian-based Sime Darby Motors and Chery Malaysia have officially joined forces for local assembly at the latter’s 200-acre manufacturing plant in Kulim, Kedah.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Inokom. With nearly three decades of experience in assembling vehicles of many world-renowned brands, Inokom is an ideal partner for Chery in our mission to take root in Malaysia and provide Malaysian consumers with high-technology and high-quality vehicles that are ahead of the curve in terms of design,” said Chery Malaysia Country Director Mr Leo Chen.

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Could Chery Be Preparing For Local-Assembly in Malaysia?

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent visit to China was a successful one by any measure.

According to reports, 19 Memorandum Of Understanding related to various sectors were signed. And the total amount of that sums up to RM170 billion!

Some of those sectors were MOU’s were signed include electronic vehicle’s, electronics, big data and digitalisation.

The automotive sector too was involved and one of it involves Chinese car maker, Chery.

Soon after the visit to China ended, Chery sent out a statement to the local media stating that Chery executives were involved in an “in-depth conversation” with the Minister of International Trader and Industry of Malaysia, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

Part of the discussions included an investment plan and development direction in Malaysia.

Soon after that discussion, the executives from Chery International were also invited to participate in a round table conference with the Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim and Malaysia-China Business Forum.

In October of last year, Chery announced a return to Malaysia with a five model line-up. But since then the company has been largely silent. Members of the local automotive press would occasionally receive press statements suggesting that Chery’s gears are quietly turning in the background.

Chery has also previously mentioned the setting up of a wholly-owned subsidiary in Malaysia, which according to an official statement, is due to be unveiled in the second quarter of this year.

Now all of this could be seen as journalistic fluff meant to drum up the Prime Minister’s visit to China.

But considering the success of Chinese automotive makers GWM and BYD in the Malaysian EV market, it won’t be too far fetched to assume that Chery may be considering local assembly of certain Chery models.

And why not? GWM and BYD have already proven that the local market is warming up to Chinese carmakers already.

Local assembly would make sense since this will almost certainly allow Chery to price their cars competitively and also create a strong network of dealers with strong spare parts availability.

The only thing that remains to be seen though is who will Chery’s assembly partner be since setting up its own assembly plant would almost certainly be too costly.

Chery Announces Return To Malaysia, With 5-Model Line-Up To Come

The last time Chery was in Malaysia was some 17 years ago and its experience was not good, nor would those who bought its products have had good experiences either. To be fair, the market conditions then were different, the products were also not as advanced and the brand was handled by a local company. When it left the market, it was not missed although its return has been much anticipated.

However, while Chery has entered neighbouring markets and started its business over the past year, it has been careful with the Malaysian market because it knows that its past image was not good. So it has been hard at work trying to present a better image, which is why you would have seen and read a lot about the brand, what it promises and what products are going to be available – but it did not start up.

Now, after months of preparing the market, Chery is officially back with a preview event today. And this time, it is directly involved in marketing activities with its own company, Chery Malaysia, and is therefore responsible for its own destiny. Other carmakers have also found it better if they are closely involved and direct the business in the market as they are the brand owners. Customers ultimately benefit as brand owners will always be thinking long-term and be willing to spend to grow the business.

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Chery promises top-class services when it returns to Malaysia in near future

Whatever memories you may have of being a Chery owner before, things will be different when Chery returns to the Malaysian market in the near future. Apart from a totally new and modern range of models like the OMODA 5 and Tiggo Pro, sales and aftersales are promised to be top quality and in line with the global standards of the Chinese carmaker.

Chery is confident that it can deliver on this promise as its return to the Malaysian market will be handled by its own subsidiary (to be established in due course). Previously, it was on represented by a local company so it did not have direct control on how the business was run.

The direct involvement of the manufacturer is good because that is the brand owner, and therefore has the strongest interest in ensuring that the brand image is good. Some manufacturers do business at ‘arms-length’, leaving most of the marketing and aftersales activities to their local partner who may or may not be equally committed since the partner does not own the brand. With the brand owner participating (and making its own investment), there will be better guidance and direction which should benefit customers.

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Chery OMODA 5 launched in China, coming soon to Malaysia

Yes, the Chinese carmakers are going to be serious rivals to the established brands in due course. While they may have given a poor impression 20 years ago because of low quality, they have improved steadily and now have the volumes to fund R&D to develop their own technologies and invest in the latest advanced manufacturing processes to achieve high quality.

One of the latest examples of this new generation of Chinese cars is the Chery OMODA 5 which has just been launched in China, with exports to begin to many countries including Malaysia. Priced in China between RMB92,900-RMB126,900 (about RM61,300 – RM83,700), the OMODA 5 is a sporty new crossover SUV that was first previewed as the X-C concept at Auto Guangzhou in 2021.

B+ segment
Its overall length of 4400 mm and width of 1830 mm (on a wheelbase of 2630 mm) gives it a slightly larger body that Malaysian rivals like the Proton X50 and Perodua Ativa. So it’s a ‘B+’ segment model but not too big to qualify to be in the C-segment.

The OMODA 5 uses the brand’s ‘Art in Motion’ design language that makes much use of curves and molded surfaces to dynamic aesthetics even when standing still. The body panels are carefully shaped to create an interplay of light and shadow as the SUV moves. The borderless diamond-cut geometric matrix grille extends from the middle to both sides, as if to create a ‘parallel universe where dreams match reality’.

1.6-litre TGDI engine
The OMODA 5 is powered by a Kunpeng 1.6TGDI, the letters signifying that it is a turbocharged engine with direct fuel injection. The 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine produces 197 ps/290 Nm which goes to the front wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The claimed 0 to 100 km/h time is 7.8 seconds and while on the move, the driver can activate a Super Sport mode for more engaging driving. In this mode, there is also simulated sound to enhance the perception of high performance.

AI in the cockpit
The cabin has Chery’s latest-generation Lion 5.0 AI (artificial intelligence) technology smart cockpit with intelligent technology. AI is used for emotion monitoring and adjustment, while entertainment is managed on a large 24.6-inch display screen. A Sony audio system collaborates with 64-colour rhythmic ambient lighting for immersive audio-visual entertainment.

Besides having European-standard environmental protection technology and ecological design, the OMODA 5’s C-PURE green cabin has a negative-ion air purification and filtration system. This will provide clean air to the occupants, an important consideration these days.

Global product
The Chery OMODA 5 has been designed with youth in mind, and through its technology-rich features, aims to project a new, more vibrant Chery to global consumers. The OMODA 5’s launch marks an important step in Chery’s global brand rejuvenation as it sets its sights on many other markets worldwide,” said Jia Yaquan, Chery Automobile’s Deputy General Manager and General Manager of Marketing.

Besides the OMODA 5, Chery will be returning to Malaysia with the Tiggo 8 Pro and Tiggo 7 Pro, part of the Pro line which has 4 SUV models and one sedan. Chery Malaysia has not indicated when they will have their launches although they should happen before the end of this year. Given how GAC Motors and GWM have started their activities, Chery won’t want to lose potential customers who are keen to try new brands and are drawn to these two newcomers first.