It’s been eight months since Chery launched the Omoda E5 in Malaysia, but the CKD local assembly of the electric SUV has finally begun at the Inokom factory in Kulim, Kedah, according to Business Today.

Local production was originally due to start in the second quarter of the year, so this is a significant delay compared to earlier projections. As yet, Chery has not provided any details on the CKD model’s pricing, nor any changes in specifications or equipment.

The event was officiated by deputy minister of investment trade and industry Liew Chin Tong, who commended Chery’s commitment to local employment (99% of the assembly workforce is Malaysian) and its contribution to the development of the Malaysian automotive industry.

Liew added that the adoption of electric vehicles needs to be ramped up to reduce Malaysia’s reliance on petrol and subsidies – a hot topic given the government is set to introduce targeted RON95 subsidies in the middle of next year. “We should see EVs as the way forward for green transition,” he said.

The CBU Chery Omoda E5 is currently priced at RM146,818, with power coming from a single front motor producing 204 PS (150 kW) and 340 Nm of torque. A BYD-sourced 61 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery provides a range of 430 km on the WLTP cycle and supports up to 80 kW of DC fast charging and 9.9 kW of AC charging.

GALLERY: Chery Omoda E5 CBU

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