Chery Corporate Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Chery) has announced the commencement of its vehicle exports to the Southeast Asia (SEA) market, solidifying Malaysia’s position as its production and research and development (R&D) hub for the region. This milestone marks Chery as the first Chinese automotive brand to export vehicles from Malaysia, underscoring its commitment to boosting local economic growth and industry development.
According to Chery Corporate Malaysia Executive Vice President Leo Chen, the initiative aligns with the company’s strategic vision to strengthen Malaysia’s role in regional automotive manufacturing. “Chery is progressing well towards establishing Malaysia as our production and R&D hub in Southeast Asia. Expanding our exporting capabilities enhances our production capacity to meet the region’s growing demand. Furthermore, Chery is excited to play a role in boosting Malaysia’s economy, developing local talent, and strengthening our supply chain. We are confident in achieving our goal to make Malaysia the leading export hub for Chery vehicles, including our premium sub-brand JAECOO,” said Chen.
The first phase of exports will see JAECOO Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) SUVs and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) shipped to Vietnam, with additional models and brands set to follow. Subsequent exports will include key SEA markets such as Thailand, Brunei, the Philippines, and Singapore.
Chery’s SEA export operations will be facilitated by its production facility in Shah Alam, Selangor. To support the increasing demand, the company has also partnered with other local assembly plants to enhance production capabilities and future scalability.
In 2024, Chery Group achieved record-breaking sales of over 2.6 million vehicles, reflecting a 38.4% year-on-year growth. Exports accounted for 1.1 million units, marking a 21.4% increase compared to 2023. This expansion reinforces Chery’s position as a global leader in the automotive industry and underscores its commitment to innovation, quality, and regional economic development.
Chery’s latest move signals a significant leap in Malaysia’s automotive industry, positioning the country as a critical player in the SEA market while fostering economic progress and technological advancements in the region.