Chery is on track to make its return to Malaysia by the second half of 2023. The brand will be re-launched here with two SUV models – the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and Chery Omoda 5. Both models will be locally assembled (CKD), so prices are expected to be competitive against equivalent Toyota, Honda, and Mazda models.

The identity of the Malaysian assembly partner has not been revealed but Chery has previously said that the plant will have a 30,000 units per year capacity.

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

Charlie Zhang, Executive Vice-President of Chery International confirmed that Chery has formalized an agreement with the local assembly partner, whose identity will be revealed in due time. Zhang said this is the main reason for his latest visit to Malaysia, which is poised to become Chery's third largest right-hand drive market.

Although Chery remains tight-lipped about the location of its CKD plant, it is rumoured to be in Kulim, Kedah - at the Sime Darby Motors-Bermaz Auto co-owned Inokom plant.

Zhang said both the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and Chery Omoda 5 are targeted to start production by end-June 2023, with a market launch aimed at July.

“The target SOP (start of production) date is end of June. We are already approaching the end of February. So March, April, May, June – four months. There’s very little time and there’s a lot of work that we need to do simultaneously. Anyhow that is our target SOP date – end of June or availability by end of July – launch by end of July. 

"So the first models will be the Tiggo 8 Pro and Omoda 5,” said Zhang.

At launch, only regular combustion engine variants will be available but a plug-in hybrid Tiggo 8 Pro e+ and a battery EV variant of the Omoda 5 are also planned for Malaysia next year.

The Omoda 5 EV is yet to be launched even in China but Zhang said production will begin (in China) in September this year, and Malaysia is part of the export plan.

However, the Omoda 5 EV, when it is eventually launched in Malaysia, will be an import-only (CBU) model as the local plant is not setup to build battery EV models yet.

The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro is a D-segment 7-seater SUV that competes against the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-8, and Peugeot 5008 – all except the Peugeot are assembled at the Inokom plant in Kulim. The Peugeot 5008 is assembled at Group PSA’s plant in Gurun.

Stretching the competitive models set wider will include the stretched C-segment but also 7-seater Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.

Let's not forget the upcoming Proton X90 too.

The Malaysia-market Chery Tiggo 8 Pro will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The engine makes 250 PS / 390 Nm, delivered either to the front wheels or all four wheels (AWD), depending on variant.

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

The 5-seater B-segment Chery Omoda 5 has already been launched in Indonesia. It’s powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 147 PS and 230 Nm (Indonesia specs), paired to a CVT automatic transmission with 9 virtual ratios driving the front wheels.

For our Malaysian context, the Omoda 5 will go up against the Honda HR-V and Proton X50.

Also read: More affordable than HR-V, Chery Omoda 5 announces preliminary prices in Indonesia

Chery has been China's No.1 exporter of passenger cars for the last 20 years. In 2022, Chery exported 451,337 units, with global sales totalling 1,232,727 units.