Chery Tiggo 8 Pro confirmed for Indonesia in 2022 - RHD market debut in Feb
CY Foong · Dec 28, 2021 03:00 PM
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The 7-seater SUV could make its Indo debut in Feb 2022
2.0-litre TGDI confirmed
Indonesian plant to be set up next year
Chery will be popping into Malaysia around Q3 2022 but besides us, the Chinese carmaker has its eyes set on another one of our ASEAN neighbours. Months before we published a scoop on its return to Malaysia, Chery hinted on its plans to return to Indonesia via social media.
Since then, the Chery Indonesia social media accounts have been posting news and information about the brand to raise awareness. However, just a week ago, the Anhui-based carmaker announced that it will be one of the exhibitors at the upcoming Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) which will be held from 17-27-February 2022.
That same post featured a Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and as reported by Indonesian media, it will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that makes 254 PS and 390 Nm. This was confirmed by the Managing Director of PT Chery Motor Indonesia, Qin Gang.
Besides the 2.0-litre unit, depending on the market, the Tiggo 8 Pro is also available with a turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-pot (197 PS/290 Nm) and a 1.5-litre mild hybrid unit (156 PS/230 Nm).
However, Chery has bigger plans for its return to the market which it had left nearly a decade ago in 2012. In a virtual forum discussion with Indonesian automotive journalists over the weekend, General Secretary of Gaikindo, Kukuh Kumara, revealed that Chery is intending to build a plant in the archipelago.
Granted, that doesn’t mean that Chery is looking to turn Indonesia into a hub for the ASEAN market like Hyundai. Kumara added that the plant will only produce models intended for the domestic market with no export plans, for now.
If it goes according to plan, this will make Chery the third Chinese carmaker to set up a plant in Indonesia, following Wuling and DFSK. Could Chery make a dent in the Indonesian car market like the former or gather dust like the latter?
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.