Official: Chery Omoda 5 EV is Coming to Malaysia in 2024!

2023 Chery Tiggo 8 Pro (left) & Omoda 5 (right) have arrived in Malaysia

In case you miss it, Chery Malaysia is officially back in Malaysia, launching its two first models last night – the Chery Omoda 5 and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro. Aside from the new models launch, the automaker also announced its plan to venture into electromobility in Malaysia by bringing several New Energy Vehicle (NEV) models as early as next year.

Chery Malaysia President Shawn Xu

Speaking during a press conference yesterday, Chery Malaysia’s president Shawn Xu has confirmed that the brand will introduce its newest EV model – the Chery Omoda 5 EV – into the Malaysian market next year. Unlike the ICE-powered Omoda 5 that is locally-assembled (CKD) by Inokom, the Malaysian-bound Omoda 5 EV will be fully-imported (CBU) from China, taking advantage of the lucrative tax incentives for EVs granted by the government.

Chery Omoda 5 EV

Debuting earlier this year at Auto Shanghai 2023, the Omoda 5 EV is the latest battery-powered model launched by the Chinese automaker. Visually, the Omoda 5 EV looks pretty much the same as its ICE twin, with several EV-esque design cues like grill-less front fascia to set it apart.

Beneath its grill-less drape, the Omoda 5 EV houses a single motor setup rated at 221 HP (165 kW), propelling this B-SUV from nought to 100 KM/H in7.8 seconds. It is juiced by a 61-kWh battery pack that grants this B-SUV a claimed EV range of 450 KM. Chery also claims the battery pack can be charged from 0-80% in just 35 minutes via DC fast charging at an undisclosed rate.

Alongside the Omoda 5 EV will be a slew of other electrified models from Chery, coming in either series-parallel hybrid (HEV) or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) guises. With the Omoda 5 EV, Chery plans to take over 20% of the EV segment market share by the end of next year, with the former model being marketed as an ‘affordable EV’ in the Malaysian market. 

This means that the Omoda 5 EV will go neck-to-neck against several Chinese EV models like the BYD Atto 3, GWM Ora Good Cat, as well as the Neta V. With the Omoda 5 EV having a claimed EV range of 450 KM, this puts Chery’s EV model right on par with the aforementioned soon-to-be rivals.

So folks, excited to see the Omoda 5 EV entering our market soon? Would you take this Chery-badged EV over any other affordable EVs available out there? Or are you still sceptical about EVs and would rather wait for the hybrid models to come out first? As always, leave your thoughts in the comments down below…