Can't afford an X5? How about this BAIC X55 II? It's coming to Malaysia, with CKD prices

China’s state-owned car manufacturer, Beijing Automotive Group Co. Ltd. (BAIC) will be restarting its entry into Southeast Asia. The brand was launched in Indonesia yesterday, with PT JIO Distribusi Indonesia, a subsidiary of PT JDI, as its distributor.

Two models were previewed, the BJ40 Plus (which we have already covered in an earlier post here), and this X55 II.

Unlike the off-road-ready ladder frame chassis BJ40 Plus, this BAIC X55 II uses a more family-focused, comfort-oriented monocoque chassis.

It’s about the size of a Honda CR-V, measuring 4,620 mm long, 1,886 mm wide, and 1,680 mm tall, with a 2,735 mm wheelbase.

The 5-seater C-segment SUV is powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged DOHC engine that makes 185 hp and 305 Nm. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The rear wheels are kept in contact with the ground by a multi-link suspension. In front are MacPherson struts.

The model will soon go on sale in Indonesia with an estimated price of 400 million Rupiah (~RM 117.8k). That’s about half the price of a Honda CR-V, which starts from 749 million Rupiah.

In Malaysia, BAIC has appointed EP Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. (EPMB) as its contract manufacturer. Production is scheduled to start in Q3 2024, at the EPMB’s plant in Pegoh, Melaka.

EPMB will also be doing contract manufacturing for Great Wall Motor’s Haval H6 and Jolion, at the same plant. Production was originally scheduled to start in the third quarter of this year, but this has since been pushed back to a later date.