Chery targets UK sales success with debut Omoda car

author: FutureCar Staff    

Omoda, a car brand under China's automotive giant Chery, is aiming to achieve 15,000 sales of the Omoda 5 in the UK next year. The SUV is set to launch at the end of 2023 and has the potential to outsell established competitors like the Skoda Karoq, Honda HR-V, and Citroen C3 Aircross.

Currently, Omoda is actively recruiting franchised dealers to establish a network of over 50 showrooms in the UK. These showrooms will be ready to promote the brand to car buyers starting in 2024. Pre-order books are expected to open by the end of this year, and Omoda has already been in discussions with leasing companies.

The company has set a target of 15,000 registrations for the Omoda 5 in its first year in the UK. This will include both fleet and retail sales, with options for petrol and full electric variants available from the launch. The petrol models will be priced between £20,000 and £25,000, while the electric pricing is yet to be confirmed, although reports suggest it could be around £45,000.

Unlike its cars in China and Europe, Omoda has decided not to use the Chery badge for the UK market. The brand manager, Wenlong Liu, believes that the name Omoda, derived from "Oxygen" and "Moda" (meaning modern), will help create a more futuristic brand image for customers.

Omoda has revealed some details about the Omoda 5, including a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 197PS. An electric version will also be available at launch. Although specific specifications for the UK-bound electric vehicle have not been released, Omoda showcased the car at the Shanghai motor show, highlighting a 61kWh battery pack with a range of 280 miles, a power output of 224PS, and a charging time of approximately 35 minutes for 10% to 80%.

All Omoda models are SUVs, and the company has plans to introduce a large SUV, the C9, in the UK by the end of 2024, 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 purchasing Omoda vehicles online or through dealerships. In 2022, Skoda UK sold just under 9,000 Karoqs, providing an indication of the market potential for Omoda.

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

FutureCar Staff