Chery Malaysia is set to expand its production capacity with a new local assembly plant (CKD) in Shah Alam Selangor. 

Scheduled to open in Q3 of 2024, Executive VP of Chery International, Chen Chun Qing, confirmed this development to local media during the 2024 Chery International Business Conference at the brand’s headquarters in Wuhu, China.

Currently, Chery’s local assembly operations, including models such as the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro, take place at the Inokom facility in Kulim, which it shares with other brands.

However, with production at Kulim running at full capacity due to strong demand, the new Shah Alam plant will serve to complement, rather than replace, the existing production capabilities. The company said it is also negotiating higher production capacities with Inokom.

The Shah Alam plant will not only support current model production but is also expected to assemble new models for the Malaysian market, including a new 'entry-level' model – most likely the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – as well as its upmarket Jaecoo brand's, J7 SUV.

The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro is a B-segment 5-seater SUV that rivals the Proton X50, and as per earlier announcements, may carry a sub-RM 100k pricetag.

The Tiggo 4 Pro is sold with two powertrain options for export markets, a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder that makes 113 PS/138 Nm, and a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 147 PS/210 Nm – though it’s unclear which drivetrain Malaysia will get at this point.

Also read: Sub-RM 100k volume seller to disrupt Proton X50 - Chery Tiggo 4 Pro to launch in Malaysia this year

In addition, there is the upcoming Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, a 5-seater C-segment SUV aimed squarely at the Proton X70, which is expected to start at under RM 130,000. The 197 PS/290 Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged Chery Tiggo 7 Pro will slot between the 1.5-litre turbocharged Chery Omoda 5 and the 2.0-litre turbocharged 7-seater Chery Tiggo 8 Pro.

Final prices will be revealed closer to the launch date, with deliveries set to start by the end of May 2024.

To recap, Chery Malaysia currently sells 3 models at the following prices:

• Omoda 5: from RM 108,800 (CKD, Kulim)
• Omoda E5: RM 146,800 (CBU, China)
• Tiggo 8 Pro: RM 159,800 (CKD, Kulim)

Besides production, Chery is also considering the Shah Alam facility for future research and development activities and potential exports to other right-hand drive markets.

Also read: Priced under RM 130k, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is gunning for the Proton X70, launching in Malaysia by May 2024