Chery has confirmed that the Omoda 5 in mid-2023, making Malaysia the first right-hand drive (RHD) market to launch the Omoda 5, ahead of countries such as South Africa and Australia. The Tiggo 8 Pro is also set to be launched within the same time frame.

Both will arrive as locally-assembled (CKD) units. Chery also targets to have 30 dealerships ready nationwide by launch.

These two models were selected based on market response. As a flagship model, the Tiggo 8 Pro will serve to build the Chery brand in Malaysia, while the Omoda 5 is said to appeal to the younger demographics with growing buying power.

Other RHD models from Chery like the Tiggo 4 Pro and Tiggo 7 Pro shown at the preview event are being studied as well.

Shawn Xu, Vice President of Chery International and President for the ASEAN market, said, “We’re going to launch the cars in the middle of next year (2023). Before launch, we can prepare around 30 outlets to support our network.”

Also read: Chery confirms 30k units/year CKD plant, launching in July 2023, Malaysia to be 3rd largest RHD market

Shawn said that the number of dealers is necessary to boost customers’ confidence in after sales, and the network would grow based on the range of products in the future.

Shawn also noted that there’s a positive change in perception towards brands from China, following the introduction of Proton X50 and X70, which are products of collaboration between Geely and Proton.

Also read: Not the Eastar you remember, Chery returns to Malaysia with Omoda 5, Tiggo 4 Pro, Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro Max

Both the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro were part of Chery’s preview event held back in October. The Omoda 5 is offered with two powertrain options in China. The first is a turbocharged 1.5-litre 4-cylinder that churns out 156 PS and 230 Nm, mated to a CVT-type automatic.

Also read: Proven safety as Chery Omoda 5 awarded full five-star rating by Euro NCAP

The other engine is a turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder that does 197 PS and 290 Nm, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT). The 1.5-litre models are front-wheel-drive (FWD)-only, the more powerful 1.6-litre model can be had as an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model.

Also read: First look at the Chery Omoda 5 in Malaysia, the HR-V and X50's more stylish and powerful rival

There’s also a fully electric variant, with 203 PS and 400 Nm of torque. Juiced up by a 64 kWh battery, the Omoda 5 EV is good for a claimed 450 km range as tested on the WLTP test cycle.

Also read: Chery Omoda 5 EV wants to catch the Ora Good Cat; asks Malaysians to help develop it...sort of

As for the Tiggo 8 Pro, it’s the brand’s flagship SUV that gets a turbocharged 2.0-litre unit mated to a 7-speed DCT. Power output is 250 PS and 390 Nm, with power routed either to the front wheels or all four wheels. Read our first impressions here.

Also read: First look at the 250 PS Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, 7-seater flagship SUV with 2.0L turbo

The Tiggo 8 Pro e+ plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was also previewed here. That has a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine supplemented by two electric motors to give a maximum torque of 510 Nm, while power figure was not divulged. Local assembly plans for PHEVs are also in the works.

Also read: Chery to begin CKD operations in Malaysia in Q2 2023, no CBU models for customers