7 Chinese cars coming to Malaysia in 2023

The Malaysian automotive industry has recently welcomed two Chinese brands to the country, which are Great Wall Motors and BYD (Build Your Dreams). The former rolled out the Good Cat under the Ora brand while the latter introduced the Atto 3. Both are pure electric vehicles that created a wave of disruption in the local market with their affordability, advanced technology, and of course striking design. 

Also read: BYD Atto 3 or Ora Good Cat: Which Chinese EV is better

Well, these Chinese car brands are not going to stop here as they are ready with their big plans to shake up the industry by offering Malaysian consumers a wider range of options. Another Chinese automaker that is also geared up to hop on this bandwagon is Chery. It will re-enter the market in mid-2023 with a range of models already previewed in Malaysia.

In this story, we bring a list of seven Chinese cars that are expected to hit the Malaysian market in 2023. So, let’s get started.

BYD Seal

BYD entered the Malaysian market hand-in-hand with Sime Darby Motors and aims to drive a new era of electric cars in the country. The automaker will open 20 showrooms by the end of 2023 and will roll out two new EVs previewed during the Atto 3 launch. One of them is a fastback electric sedan, called Seal. In the home country, the EV is offered in four variants with the maximum power ranging between 201 PS and 523 PS. The available battery packages are - 61.44 kWh and 82.56 kWh offering a maximum drive range of up to 650 km.

BYD Dolphin

BYD has also introduced the upcoming Dolphin, which is an electric hatchback measuring 4,125 mm in length, 1,770 mm in width, and 1,570 mm in height and has a 2,700 mm long wheelbase. The Chinese-spec model comes powered by a 94 hp/180 Nm electric motor paired with different battery packs. The latter comprises - 30.7-kWh and 44.9-kWh units offering a maximum range of 401 km (on the NEDC cycle) on a single charge.

Ora Black Cat

At the time of launching the Good Cat, Great Wall Motors talked about its target to become an xEV leader in Malaysia with the launch of nine cars in the next three years. Among its expected upcoming models is the Ora Black Cat, which is an entry-level EV sized much smaller than the Good Cat. The electric motor of this small EV is capable of delivering just 49 PS and 125 Nm. It comes equipped with a 30.7-kWh battery pack offering a total range of 310 km on a single charge.

Haval H6

Another possible model that GWM Malaysia might launch this year is the Haval H6. This also comes under the brand’s “xEV” umbrella which includes all electrified and fully-electric vehicles. The automaker offers the mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid iterations of the H6 in Thailand, which could make their way to the local shores.

The MHEV comes equipped with a 1.5-litre turbo hybrid system that kicks out a combined output of 243 hp and 530 Nm. It utilises a 1.69-kWh battery pack. The PHEV, on the contrary, makes a combined output of 326 hp and 530 Nm with a 1.5-litre turbo hybrid system. It has a 34-kWh battery pack offering an all-electric range of 201 km.

Chery Omoda 5

Chery has confirmed the Omoda 5 arrival for the second quarter of the year. It is a crossover SUV that measures 4,400 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width, 1,585 mm in height, and spans a 2,630 mm long wheelbase. With these dimensions, the SUV falls in the B-segment SUV category and is thus expected to rival the Honda HR-V, Proton X50, and Toyota Corolla Cross. 

In China, the Omoda 5 comes equipped with either a 1.6-litre TGDI engine delivering a maximum power of 197 PS and a peak torque of 290 Nm or a 1.5-litre TCI unit with rated outputs as 156 PS and 230 Nm. Transmission choices include a 7-Speed DCT and a CVT. 

Chery Tiggo 8 Pro

The model which will follow the Omoda 5 is the Tiggo 8 Pro. It is a bigger SUV that will rival the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-8 in Malaysia. The Tiggo 8 Pro is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TGDi turbo mill which is good for making 254 PS of power and 390 Nm of peak torque. Channelling power to the wheels is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro

Another Chery model that was previewed in Malaysia last year was the Tiggo 7 Pro; it will lock horns with the C-segment SUVs such as the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Proton X70. Under the bonnet of the upcoming Tiggo 7 Pro, we can expect a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine capable of delivering a max power output of 147 PS and a peak torque of 210 Nm. As for the transmission, it may come paired with a CVT gearbox.

Which of these upcoming Chinese cars do you find the most impressive? Let us know in the comments.

Also read: Top 5 luxury cars launching in Malaysia in 2023