An at-a-glance glossary to the many new Chinese brands that have recently found home here in Malaysia.
With there seemingly to be another Chinese automaker making its way to Malaysia every other day, it is understandably hard for the anyone to keep track of who is here and selling what right now. In fact, it could be said that even those responsible for covering the local automotive scene could have perhaps found themselves on more than one occasion wondering what was that strange new car that drove by on the road just now.
So in an attempt to offer some relief on this somewhat confusing subject, right below is thus a compiled catalogue of all the Chinese automakers that are here in Malaysia right now, or will be arriving very soon.
Do note that this list is to be current as of November 2024, and for the sake of conciseness only focuses on passenger vehicles only. Do note too that in spite most of its cars being of Chinese (Geely) origin, Proton has been left out of it, as most Malaysians will likely have heard of our national automaker.
Oh, links to either a local launch overview or review has been added the name of each model mentioned below as well, for those who wish to find out more about the Chinese car in question.
BAIC
Current Status: Officially previewed in Malaysia in early 2024, but no official local launch date yet.
Models Coming Over Soon:
- BJ40: a Jeep Wranger-type off-roader with removable roof and doors
- X55: a sleek C-segment SUV that is about as big as Honda’s CR-V
BYD
Current Status: Arrived in Malaysia in late 2022 under the distributorship of Sime Darby Beyond Auto. Currently Malaysia’s best-selling EV brand. All cars sold in Malaysia are currently fully imported from China.
Models Currently Available Locally:
- Dolphin: an all-electric Perodua Myvi-sized hatchback
- Atto 3: an all-electric Proton X50-sized B-segment SUV
- Seal: an all-electric sedan that rivals the Tesla Model 3
- M6: an all-electric seven-seat large (yet affordable) family MPV
Denza
Current Status: Set to arrive in Malaysia at the end of 2024.
Models Coming Over Soon:
No official confirmation yet, but rumours suggest that the all-electric Denza D9 luxury MPV will be among its local debut lineup.
Chery
Current Status: Re-entered the Malaysian market in 2023. Local assembly of its cars currently underway in Kulim, Kedah.
Models Available Locally:
- Omoda 5: a B-segment SUV that is Chery’s alternative to the Proton X50
- Omoda E5: an EV version of the Omoda 5
- Tiggo 7 Pro: a C-segment SUV that is Chery’s Proton X70 alternative
- Tiggo 8 Pro: a seven-seat large SUV that is Chery’s Proton X90 equivalent
GAC – Aion
Current Status: Arrived in Malaysia earlier this year under the distributorship of Warisan Tan Chong Automotif (WTCA). GS3 Emzoom currently locally assembled in Segambut, Selangor.
Models Available Locally:
- GS3 Emzoom: a stylish B-segment turbo-petrol crossover
- Aion Y Plus: an all-electric five-seat minivan
GWM – Ora, Haval, Tank
Current Status: Returned to Malaysia in 2022. Haval H6 HEV currently locally assembled in partnership with EPMB in Negeri Sembilan.
Models Available Locally:
- Ora Good Cat: a cutesy all-electric compact hatchback
- Ora 07: an “interesting”-looking all-electric sedan
- Tank 300: a boxy Jeep Wrangler-type off-roader, but with more on-road creature comforts
- Haval H6 HEV: a self-charging hybrid C-segment SUV
Jaecoo
Current Status: Arrived in Malaysia earlier this year. Its J7 is currently locally assembled in Shah Alam.
Models Available Locally:
- J7: a Proton X70-sized SUV with Range Rover-esque looks (PHEV version launching locally soon)
Interesting Factoid: Jaecoo is to be a subsidiary of Chery, where it is actually part of its international-facing division of Omoda + Jaecoo. And while the Omoda 5 is currently sold under Chery over here, the upcoming Omoda C9 instead will soon be sold under the Jaecoo umbrella locally.
JAC
Current Status: Arrived in Malaysia in October this year. First customer deliveries of its T9 pickup truck will begin early next year.
Models Available Locally:
- T9: a double-cab pickup truck available with turbodiesel and fully-electric powertrains (PHEV version launching in Q2 2025)
*more commercial vehicle options are available as well, in both ICE and EV form
JMC
Current Status: Arrived in Malaysia since 2021 under the distributorship of Angka-Tan Motor, a subsidiary of the Tan Chong group.
Models Available Locally:
- Vigus Pro: a double-cab turbodiesel pickup truck
Jetour
Current Status: Brand previewed locally in early 2024, but no official local launch date yet.
Models Coming Over Soon:
- Dashing: a B+ segment five-seat turbo-petrol SUV
- X70 Plus: a 7-seat large turbo-petrol SUV (not to be confused with Proton’s similarly-named offering)
Leapmotor
Current Status: Arrived in Malaysia in October this year.
Models Available Locally:
- C10: an all-electric five-seat Tesla Model Y-sized SUV that looks a bit like a Porsche Cayenne
Interesting Factoid: Leapmotor lands locally under the wider Stellantis umbrella of companies, which hence sees for its local sales outlets to mostly be shared with Peugeot, and soon Citroen too.
Maxus
Current Status: Has been around in Malaysia for some years now, but was primarily known to offer commercial vehicles like window and panel vans.
Models Available Locally:
- MIFA 9: an all-electric 7-seat luxury MPV
*more commercial vehicle options are available as well, in both ICE and EV form
Interesting factoid: Maxus is actually subsidiary of SAIC (the parent company of MG), and has incidentally previously tried to break into the local premium people mover market with its G10. Though while it was crowned as DSF’s luxury MPV of the year back in 2017, commercial sales success unfortunately alluded this large minivan over here.
MG
Current Status: Re-entered the Malaysian market earlier this year.
Models Available Locally:
- MG4: an all-electric Volkswagen Golf-sized hatchback
- MG5: a B+ segment-sized turbo-petrol sedan that rivals the Honda City and Toyota Vios
- ZS EV: an all-electric B-segment SUV
- HS: a turbo-petrol SUV that is just about as big as a Mazda CX-5 (coming soon)
Neta
Current Status: Arrived in Malaysia late last year.
Models Available Locally:
- V: an all-electric five-seat Perodua Myvi-sized hatchback-MPV crossover
- X: an all-electric five-seat mid-sized SUV
smart
Current Status: Arrived in Malaysia late last year. Local distribution currently under the responsibility of PRO-NET.
Models Available Locally:
- #1: an all-electric premium B-segment hatchback-SUV crossover
- #3: a longer, lower and generally sleeker coupe-SUV version of the #1
Interesting Factoid: smart in its current all EV form is to be a joint-venture between Geely and Mercedes-Benz, where the former was in charge of engineering and production while the latter was responsible for design.
XPeng
Current Status: Arrived in Malaysia a couple of months ago under the distributorship of Bermaz Auto.
Models Available Locally:
– G6: an all-electric premium C-segment SUV that rivals Tesla’s Model Y
Zeekr
Current Status: Set to arrive locally in early 2025 under the distributorship of Sentinel Automotive, with bookings now open for its two local debut models.
Models Coming Over Soon:
Interesting Factoid: Zeekr is a sub-brand of Geely’s, with its models basically sharing the same EV platform as other products in its wider automotive umbrella. The X shares the same SEA platform underpinning the smart #1 and Volvo EX30, while the recently revealed Volvo EM90 is all but a Zeekr 009 with a different face.
