Chery Malaysia wants to expands local Integration by making Malaysia its RHD vehicle hub/R&D, export to neighboring countries

KUALA LUMPUR:  In recent weeks, Chery Malaysia has made significant strides in aligning itself with the Malaysian community. The company announced its support for national athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, pledging to award a free car to medal winners. Additionally, the launch of the Tiggo 7 Pro, where the launch gambit showcased its features across various states in Malaysia, also underscores Chery's dedication to becoming a part of the Malaysian fabric.

Continuing this momentum, Chery Malaysia has unveiled plans to deepen its integration into the Malaysian economy. This includes establishing a local production facility and setting up research and development centers. Zhang Guibing, President of Chery International, highlighted these ambitions during his recent visit to Malaysia, signaling a robust future for Chery’s operations in the country.

Chery is considering making Malaysia its right-hand drive (RHD) hub to serve markets that use RHD vehicles. "“While China operates with left-hand drive vehicles, Malaysia offers a unique opportunity to serve right-hand drive markets. We are very interested in expanding our business here and Malaysia could be our right-hand
drive hub,” Zhang said at the launch of Chery Corporate Malaysia's plant in Shah Alam recently.

The company aims to export vehicles to neighboring RHD countries, leveraging Malaysia’s strategic location and developed automotive ecosystem. Zhang emphasized that Chery's long-term vision includes creating job opportunities for Malaysians, engaging local partners, and introducing new technologies to the local market. These efforts are expected to enhance the quality and efficiency of Chery's operations in Malaysia, building lasting customer trust.

RM1 Billion Investment Commitment

In November 2023, Chery Malaysia committed RM1 billion to support Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030. This substantial investment underscores Chery's confidence in Malaysia's potential, bolstered by the country's supportive policies and focus on growth and innovation in the automotive sector.

Positive Impact on Local Employment

According to Chery Malaysia, on June 25, Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, shared on social media that Chery's investment is already yielding positive results. The new assembly plant in Shah Alam will create 500 new jobs, with plans to increase this number to at least 1,000. By partnering with local vendors and suppliers, Chery aims to reduce component costs and demonstrate that local suppliers can meet international standards.

"With over 100 showrooms and service centers across the country, Chery is able to offer even more job opportunities to the local community. This strategic investment will not only benefit Chery as a company but also the labor force in Malaysia," Zafrul stated.

Future launches

Chery Malaysia is continuing its series of automotive launches with the announcement of the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, set to debut early next year in 2025. While many anticipated a launch by the end of Q4 this year, Chery Malaysia has confirmed the release will take place at the beginning of the new year.

The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro is a compact SUV, comparable in size to the Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR, measuring around 4.3 meters in length, 1.8 meters in width, and 1.6 meters in height. It offers a 1.5-litre engine, available in naturally aspirated or turbocharged variants, paired with either a CVT or manual transmission. The turbocharged version is expected to deliver around 145 horsepower and 210 Nm of torque.

Inside, the Tiggo 4 Pro features a modern, spacious cabin with a large touchscreen infotainment system, likely around 10 inches, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The seats are expected to be comfortable and premium-feeling.

The SUV is anticipated to come equipped with multiple ADAS features, including multiple airbags, ESC, parking assists, and hill start assist. However, some features might be filtered out to keep it affordable.

Globally well-received in South America and parts of Asia, the Tiggo 4 Pro balances features, size, and price. In Malaysia, it is expected to be priced competitively, potentially between RM 80,000 and RM 90,000, positioned below the RM108,800 Omoda 5. The exact pricing will depend on the final configuration, including engine options and safety features.

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