Chery targets UK market with new Omoda car

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【Summary】Chinese car brand Omoda, a subsidiary of Chery, aims to sell 15,000 units of its Omoda 5 SUV in the UK next year, potentially outselling rivals such as Skoda Karoq, Honda HR-V, and Citroen C3 Aircross. Omoda plans to establish a network of over 50 showrooms and is in talks with leasing companies. The Omoda 5 will be available in both petrol and electric versions, with petrol priced between £20,000 and £25,000 and electric pricing yet to be confirmed.

FutureCar Staff Aug 17, 2023 9:48 AM PT

Chery targets UK market with new Omoda car

Omoda, a car brand from China's automotive giant Chery, is planning to achieve 15,000 UK sales of the Omoda 5 next year. The SUV is set to launch in the UK at the end of 2023. If successful, it could outsell established rivals like the Skoda Karoq, Honda HR-V, and Citroen C3 Aircross.

To prepare for its UK launch, Omoda is currently recruiting franchised dealers to establish a network of over 50 showrooms. This will enable the brand to promote its cars to UK buyers starting from 2024. Pre-order books are expected to open by the end of this year, and Omoda has already been in talks with leasing companies.

The company aims to achieve 15,000 UK registrations of the Omoda 5 in the first year. The car will be available in both petrol and full electric variants. The petrol version will be priced between £20,000 and £25,000, while the electric pricing is yet to be confirmed, but press reports suggest it could be around £45,000.

Omoda has decided not to badge its cars for the UK and Europe as Chery, deeming it "too traditional." Instead, it has chosen the name Omoda, derived from Oxygen and Moda (modern), to create a more futuristic brand image for customers.

The Omoda 5 will come equipped with advanced functions, including ADAS for safety. The brand believes that its cars will offer competitive features at an affordable price. The press material reveals that the car will have a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 197PS, and an electric version will also be available from launch.

Although no official specifications have been released for the UK-bound electric vehicle, Omoda presented it at the Shanghai motor show in May. The car showcased a 61kWh battery pack with a range of 280 miles, a power output of 224PS, and a charging time of around 35 minutes for 10% to 80% capacity.

Omoda's lineup consists solely of SUV models. In addition to the Omoda 5, the company plans to introduce a large SUV called the C9 in the UK by the end of 2024. This will be followed by a compact C3 SUV in 2025. Both of these models will be available exclusively in full electric versions.

Customers will have the choice of buying Omoda cars online or through the dealership. Skoda UK sold just under 9,000 Karoqs in 2022, providing an indication of the potential market demand.

Chery already exports vehicles under the Omoda subsidiary to South America, Russia, and South Africa. Omoda will be entering a highly competitive market in the UK, where other Chinese brands like MG and Great Wall's Ora have already been selling vehicles. Additionally, brands like BYD, Lynk and Co, and Nio are also preparing to introduce their electric vehicle offerings to UK customers.