While Malaysians wait for the official relaunch of the Chery brand in the country, things are kicking into high gear for the Anhui-based carmaker over in Indonesia. With the futuristic-looking Chery Omoda 5 launched in the archipelago last month, the local production (CKD) of the SUV kicks off.

For now, Chery says the SUV is undergoing what’s known as a trial line production. This is to train and prepare the assembly workers before the proper mass production of the Omoda 5 starts.

During this trial production, a few units of the Omoda 5 in two-tone White Howlite Black were produced. PT Chery Sales Indonesia’s (CSI) President, Shawn Xu said in a statement that the trial production ran smoothly and the Omoda 5’s Indonesian mass production would begin on 20-March.

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"By starting production this March, we are committed to delivering the units according to the time we promised our consumers,” he added. “In early April, we are ready to carry out the Omoda 5 handover ceremony for the first 100 of the 300 units scheduled for the month before proceeding with the remainder.”

Also read: Almost half of Chery Omoda 5 test drive customers at the Indo Motor Show book the SUV

The first 300 units of the Omoda 5 that were pre-booked since its announcement last month will be delivered to customers in April. The Chery Omoda 5 is available in Indonesia in two variants which are:

• Chery Omoda 5 Z – IDR 328 million (~RM 96k)
• Chery Omoda 5 RZ – IDR 398 million (~RM 116k)

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

While Chery’s plant in Bekasi would be the production hub for the Chinese carmaker’s right-hand drive (RHD) markets, Malaysian-bound models would be locally assembled here. Chery’s Malaysian assembly partner has not been revealed but production would start in June 2023 with the brand making its return to the country by the second half of the year.

Also read: Chery says Tiggo 8 Pro and Omoda 5 are superior to Japanese SUVs, will win hearts of Malaysians