Chery committed to Malaysian market re-entry with CKD efforts

Chinese auto brand Chery remains committed to its impending Malaysian market re-entry. In a statement released earlier this week, the firm stated it will also set up a local assembly (CKD) operation in Malaysia and is currently in talks with several local partners to get this effort going.

The brand previously operated in Malaysia under the auspices of Chery Alado Automobile Sdn Bhd. Said company has been dormant for about 10 years now. With its re-entry in the works, perhaps we'll see the brand re-emerge with a new company name too.

Crucial to Chery's market re-entry, the CKD operation it plans to setup should allow the brand to skirt stiff import taxes the government imposes on fully imported (CBU) vehicles. The next and equally important step will be the re-establishment of its sales and service network.

Regarding the models it plans to introduce locally, Chery has highlighted its Omoda 5 (pictured above) as their lead product, followed by several key versions of its Tiggo Pro series - likely the Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro. Aptly, this plans sees the brand re-emerging with an all-SUV line up first.

Obviously, the Omoda 5 will see the Chery brand potential enter the highly competitive local B-segment crossover SUV segment. It will go up against things like the Proton X50, as well as the Perodua Ativa. Both the Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro, on the other hand, will enter one segment higher, with the latter expected to offer a 7-seat layout too.

As for their powertrains, we can expect to see Chery field a selection of 1.5 and 1.6-litre 4-cyl mills across these three model ranges. 

Apart from what we've just mentioned, little else is known regarding the Chery brand's Malaysian re-entry plans. More details are expected in the upcoming months..

Apart from Malaysia, the Chery brand is also marking its official return into the market of neighbouring Indonesia recently. The brand's sales in said republic is expected to begin towards the end of this year where it plans to roll out two models - Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro - to spearhead its return there.