CHERY Auto Malaysia successfully rolled-off their first Completely Knocked Down (CKD) unit of the Omoda E5 from its Inokom Plant production line. 

Launched in March, the model marks Chery’s entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market in Malaysia as the company's first pure electric model.  

The Omoda E5 features an electric drivetrain that delivers 201hp and 340Nm of torque, and a 430km WLTP range. Its 61 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery supports fast DC charging from 30-80% in just 28 minutes. Additionally, it includes ADAS 2.5, which integrates advanced sensors, AI, and connectivity.

It now joins Chery’s current CKD lineup of models assembled in Kulim, which includes the Tiggo 7 Pro, Tiggo 8 Pro, and Omoda 5.  

"Chery’s first CKD unit of the Omoda E5 is a testament to our dedication to innovation, quality, and our commitment to the Malaysian market.  

“By assembling our cars locally, it not only allows us to provide more competitive pricing but also signifies Chery’s long-term commitment in Malaysia, fostering job creation and skill development within the local workforce,” said Chery Auto Malaysia president Leo Chen.
  
Chen added that the initiative is in-line with the government's policy of localisation compliance and will support and assist Malaysia to become a regional hub for electric vehicles.

Sime Darby Berhad group chief executive officer Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson said the significant milestone reflects the strengthening partnership and shared vision between Sime Darby and Chery. 

“Our expertise spans the entire automotive value chain, and assembly is a crucial area of growth and a key enabler for our Motors division. We look forward to achieving many more milestones together as we expand our facility and reaffirm our commitment to advancing sustainable mobility solutions,” he added. 

During the line-off event Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong said Chery should be congratulated for the fact that 99% of their assembly workforce here are Malaysians. 

"The industrialisation of Malaysia must mean better jobs and better pay for Malaysians, not more jobs for unskilled foreign workers. Whenever possible, we should automate more and use more technology, instead of hiring unskilled foreign workers," said Liew.

He added that there were 32,543 Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) registered on Malaysian roads as of Sept 30, 2024 - however, 98% of these BEVs are imported as Completely Built-Up (CBU) units.   

"With this line-off ceremony, Chery joins the ranks of brands assembling EVs in Malaysia, marking a significant advancement in localizing electric vehicle production. 

"Localising as much as possible in terms of manufacturing of vehicles has a balance of payment dimension. In 2023, the automotive sector recorded a total import value of RM62.14 billion, while total export value was RM18.01 billion," said Liew. 

Chery's global annual green revenue has surpassed RMB 10.9 billion (RM6.7 billion). In Malaysia, the company aims to further accelerate its electro-mobility initiatives by significantly expanding its electrified vehicle (xEV) lineup beyond battery electric cars (BEVs) to include plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) next year.