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Chery Auto Malaysia rolls out first locally assembled OMODA E5 electric vehicle
By Adie Zulkifli
November 9, 2024 @ 12:59am

KULIM: Chery Auto Malaysia has rolled-off the first Completely Knocked Down (CKD) unit of the OMODA E5 from Inokom Plant here, the Chinese automaker's first fully electric vehicle for the Malaysian market.

Chery Auto Malaysia president Leo Chen said the accomplishment demonstrates Chery's commitment to improving local manufacturing capabilities, promoting Malaysia's industrial growth, and contributing to the country's transition to a sustainable, electrified automotive future.

He said the OMODA E5, known for its modern design and advanced technology, represents Chery's dedication to delivering high-quality vehicles tailored to the preferences of Malaysian consumers.

"Today's roll-off of 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," he said after the launching ceremony by Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) Liew Chin Tong.


Present was Sime Darby Bhd group chief executive officer Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson.

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.

In his speech, Liew remarked that the launching of Chery OMODA E5 is a milestone in Malaysia's automotive industry.

"As of 30 September 2024, there are 32,543 Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) registered on Malaysian roads. However, 98% of these BEVs are imported as Completely Built-Up (CBU) units.

"Before this, only Volvo and Mercedes-Benz assembled EVs locally. With today's launch, Chery becomes another brand to assemble EVs in Malaysia, marking a significant step forward to localise EV production.

"Localising as much as possible in terms of manufacturing of vehicles has a balance of payment dimensions.

"Chery should be congratulated for the fact that 99% of their assembly workforce here are Malaysians," he said.

Liew added that 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," he said....

Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. has become the first Chinese automaker to produce cars in Europe. The Ebro S700, which started rolling off the production line in Barcelona Saturday, is the first model that Chery is making with its joint venture partner EV Motors SA. The Spanish carmaker signed a joint venture agreement with Chery in April to develop electric vehicles together. EV Motors owns the Ebro brand. The two companies are manufacturing the S700 in a former Nissan Motors Co. Ltd. factory that shut down in 2021. Producing vehicles for the local market in Spain will help Chery sidestep the EU’s recently raised tariffs on China-made EVs.

Haih
Kind of regretted getting E5
If I have waited a bit long, I must have had driven G6 now