Can Chery continue this rising sales success in a country where VW has been dominated for decades?
Chinese cars are emerging as a significant threat to the established carmakers on South Africa’s sales charts and this trend will be starting soon in Malaysia….. or has it already?
In late 2021 Chery made a re-entry in South Africa (similar to Malaysia as Chery is about to re-enter the Malaysian market after a decade of being away) and since then the Chery SUV range has been selling better than expected.
It all started with the Tiggo 4 Pro and then the Tiggo 8 Pro and more recently the Tiggo 7 Pro. The high interest Omoda 5 is waiting for its launch, like with Malaysia.
Sales numbers shared by the South African (SA) automotive authority shows that the Chery Tiggo 4 had monthly average sales of 771 units which is right next to the Volkswagen T-Cross which is SA’s third best-selling SUV at an average of 866 monthly sales.
Chery also managed to better the sales of the Renault Kiger, which tied with the Haval Jolion at 679 units a month.
Meanwhile, both Haval and Chery sold more units than the established Suzuki Vitara Brezza which managed to push out 636 units and the Renault Magnite at 598 units.
Other compact SUV’s in the segment like the Hyundai Venue at 559 units and the Ford EcoSport with 427 units will be feeling the pinch when the next 2 new Chery SUV’s arrive in 2023.
The Malaysian SUV segment will be seeing the arrival of the much talked about Chery Omoda 5 which has the following measurements:
- Length: 4,400mm
- Width: 1,830mm
- Height: 1,585mm
- Wheelbase: 2,630mm
The design language is following in the slipstream of the new Chery ‘Art in Motion’ design platform, it manages to be brawny and elegant at the same time.
The front which is flanked by LED headlights as well as LED daytime running lights. The rest of the body is very sporty, leaning into the current trend towards coupe-inspired silhouettes.
The Omoda 5 showcases Chery’s new ‘Art in Motion’ design language boasting an integrated diamond matrix grille which is flanked by split LED headlights and LED daytime running lights.
From the side, the Omoda 5 takes on a sporty stance with the roofline adopting a sloping, coupe-like silhouette. Sharp, angular taillight clusters further add to the sporty look of the Omoda 5.
The OMODA 5 has a 1.6-litre turbocharged ACTECO engine with 147 kW and 290 Nm. This engine is equipped with 7DCT transmission. This SUV will also get a naturally aspirated 1.5 engine, turbocharged 1.5 + 48V mild-hybrid one and even a fully electric variant very soon.
The Omoda 5 has been spotted on test on our Malaysian roads for the past few months in 2023 and this means it might be the first new Chery model to be launched in Malaysia.
Selling price? Well, we guess a price of RM158,888 onwards and let’s see how close our guess will be in the coming months.
