PETALING JAYA: Chinese automaker Chery has plans to launch its EQ1 micro battery electric vehicle (BEV) in Malaysia in 2022.
A Chery International spokesperson told Carsifu.my that the Chinese automaker headquartered in Wuhu, Anhui province, is interested in benefitting from the tax incentives for EVs under Budget 2022.
"The eQ1 (known as the Chery small ant in China) is the sales champion in the micro BEV segment. We will do our best to bring this model into Malaysia," he said.
According to the spokesperson, the EQ1 sells for 60,000 to 70,000 yuan (39,839 to 46,479 ringgit) in China, after taking into account government subsidies for new energy vehicles.
Chery is presently in discussions with a potential business partner for completely-knocked-down (CKD) operations in Malaysia.
"We definitely want CKD operations in Malaysia which will be the base for exports to Asean and other right hand drive markets," said the spokesperson.
He added that Chery is also looking at launching its Tiggo4 Pro sport utlity vehicle (SUV) in Malaysia, and "and perhaps the Tiggo 7 and 8 Pro."
The EQ1 is billed as the best-selling micro BEV in China, with a “full-aluminum pure electric vehicle” integrating fashion, safety and intelligence, and sets new benchmarks in Chinese new energy vehicles market.
READ MORE: Chery Tiggo 4 Pro may launch in Malaysia in 2022
It is a nimble two-door four-seater with a full-aluminum body, 55kw electric motor, which can sprint to 50kph in 5 seconds, onwards to a top speed of 120kph.
It is fitted with a 10-inch high-definition LCD screen and AI voice interaction.
The EQ1 is offered in two travelling range options namely 301km and 408km, based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).
Chery sources from the battery suppliers like CATL, and its self-developed battery pack is said to be most efficient in energy consumption.
Regarding the resilience and safety of the battery, Chery has integrated technologies like battery initiative balance and constant voltage and current charging for the battery system.
The motors are sourced from the Chery Yaskawa Electric Drive System Co Ltd joint venture, where products are said to be more efficient and 22% lighter than the peers.
In terms of electronic control, Chery has its independently developed vehicle control unit (VCU) which can monitor the running state of vehicle batteries and motors more accurately, ensuring better performance of the vehicle in power, safety and energy recycle.
Since its launch in 2017, the EQ1 has gone through four editions and won several "first" recognition in China: the first self-developed pure electric model, the first pure electric model built with lightweight all-aluminum body, the first two-door four-seat pure electric model with a driving range of over 300km, the first pure electric model with automatic parking function, and the pure electric model with the highest
penetration rate of shared travel.
Under Malaysia's Budget 2022, the tax incentives include individual tax relief of up to RM2,500 for the purchase, installation, rental and subscription fees for EV charging facilities for two years (2022 and 2023).
EVs will also get road tax exemption of up to 100%.
Imported or completely-built-up (CBU) EVs will get full import and excise duty exemptions for two years (2022 and 2023).
Locally assembled or completely-knocked-down (CKD) EVs will get full import and excise duty as well as sales tax exemptions for four years (2022 till end-2025).
In a statement, the Chery said it has five research and development (R&D) centres in the world, with more than 5,000 R&D personnel.
Under its "Chery Lion" strategy, the group plans to optimise its full-life-cycle intelligent layout of R&D, manufacturing, marketing and service and the mass production and launching of Level 2.5 autonomous driving technology.
The group's products are available in more than 80 countries and regions.
Chery has set up 10 overseas factories and more than 1,500 overseas distributors and service outlets, with accumulated 9.8 million global users, including 1.9 million overseas users.
It has also been the top China passenger car exporter in terms of volume for 18 consecutive years.
Further updates can be seen at Chery Malaysia's Facebook page.
To contact Chery Malaysia, email cherymalaysia@mychery.com
