Chery UK Hits Record 2% Market Share in July

Chery UK Achieves Record 2% Market Share in July 2025

Chery UK, the British division of the Chinese state-owned automaker Chery Automobile Co., Ltd., achieved a record 2% share of the UK new car market in July 2025. This entity is the official UK sales and distribution operation for the Chery brand, which is also the parent company of the Omoda and Jaecoo sub-brands. For Malaysian consumers, Chery’s global expansion signals increased confidence in the brand’s engineering, which is relevant as Chery assembles and sells vehicles locally in Malaysia through Chery Malaysia, offering models like the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro.

Chery Automobile is headquartered in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China, and is one of the largest passenger vehicle exporters in China. The brand solves the problem of affordable, feature-rich crossover and SUV mobility, competing directly with established Japanese and Korean manufacturers. In Malaysia, Chery vehicles are locally assembled (CKD) at a facility in Shah Alam, Selangor, and are sold with a 7-year manufacturer warranty, providing a competitive ownership proposition against brands like Proton, Perodua, and Honda.

Key Facts

The following table consolidates the verified statistics from the Carsifu report on Chery UK's July 2025 performance, along with relevant Malaysian market context.

Chery UK’s 2% market share in July 2025 represents a doubling of its presence in one of the world’s most competitive automotive markets, signalling that the brand’s value proposition is resonating with cost-conscious European buyers.

What Does Chery UK’s 2% Market Share Mean for Malaysia?

Chery UK’s record performance indicates that the brand’s global strategy of offering high-specification vehicles at aggressive price points is working. For Malaysian consumers, this validates the brand’s reliability and market acceptance beyond China, reducing the perceived risk of purchasing a relatively new entrant in the local market. The UK success also suggests that Chery’s quality control meets stringent European safety and emissions standards, which are stricter than those in Malaysia.

The UK achievement is not an isolated incident. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK new car market grew 2.4% year-on-year in July 2025, with Chinese brands collectively capturing 11.2% of the market. Chery’s 2% share places it ahead of established players like Mazda (1.8%) and Jeep (0.6%) in the UK during the same period.

"Chery UK has achieved a record 2% market share in July, a significant milestone that reflects growing consumer trust in our vehicles and our commitment to the UK market."

— Victor Zhang, Executive Vice President, Chery UK (as reported by Carsifu)

The UK market’s acceptance of Chery, evidenced by its 2% share in July 2025, provides Malaysian buyers with third-party validation that the brand’s locally assembled vehicles meet export-grade quality benchmarks.

How Does Chery UK’s Growth Compare to Chery Malaysia’s Sales Trajectory?

Chery Malaysia’s sales trajectory mirrors the UK’s growth pattern, albeit from a smaller base. In Malaysia, Chery recorded 12,847 unit sales in 2024, a 300% increase over 2023, according to Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) data. This growth positions Chery as the fastest-growing Chinese brand in Malaysia, outpacing BYD and GWM in the combustion SUV segment.

However, the comparison requires context. While the UK market is predominantly a mature, replacement-driven market, Malaysia is a growing market dominated by Proton and Perodua, which together control over 60% of the market. Chery’s strategy in Malaysia focuses on the "premium value" segment—vehicles priced between RM100,000 and RM180,000—where it competes directly with Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5.

For Malaysian users, the UK success story is most relevant in the context of resale value and brand perception. As Chery’s global footprint expands, the availability of spare parts and the long-term viability of the brand improves, addressing a common concern among Malaysian first-time Chinese-brand buyers.

Chery’s UK market share of 2% in July 2025, combined with its 300% sales growth in Malaysia during 2024, demonstrates that the brand is achieving simultaneous traction in both developed and emerging markets.

What Are the Specific Sales Drivers Behind Chery UK’s July Record?

The primary driver behind Chery UK’s July performance is the strong reception of the Omoda 5 and Jaecoo 7 models, both of which are also sold in Malaysia. In the UK, Chery has positioned these vehicles as direct competitors to the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage, undercutting them by approximately £4,000 (RM 22,000) while offering comparable standard equipment.

According to the Carsifu report, Chery UK’s July sales were also boosted by an aggressive 0% APR financing campaign and a 7-year/100,000-mile warranty, which is longer than the UK industry standard of 3 years. In Malaysia, the same 7-year warranty is offered, but it is capped at 150,000 km, which is more generous in mileage terms than the UK offer.

• Omoda 5: UK price from £24,000 (approx. RM 132,000); Malaysian price from RM 108,800 (CKD).
• Jaecoo 7: UK price from £30,000 (approx. RM 165,000); Malaysian price from RM 138,800 (CKD).
• Warranty (UK): 7 years / 100,000 miles (approx. 160,000 km).
• Warranty (MY): 7 years / 150,000 km.

The UK sales surge was driven by the Omoda 5 and Jaecoo 7 models, which are the same vehicles Chery assembles in Shah Alam for the Malaysian market, confirming that local buyers receive globally standardised products.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

Chery’s UK success story is most relevant for Malaysian urban professionals aged 30–50 who are considering a Chinese-brand SUV but are concerned about long-term reliability and resale value. The ideal Malaysian user owns or rents a condominium or apartment in the Klang Valley (KL, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya) with limited parking space, making the compact Omoda 5 (length 4,374 mm) a practical fit.

For Malaysian users, the key pain point is not vehicle performance but post-sale support and parts availability. Chery Malaysia has addressed this by establishing 35 dealerships nationwide as of mid-2025, up from 12 in early 2024, and by maintaining a parts warehouse in Shah Alam with a 24-hour dispatch capability for the Klang Valley area.

Additionally, Malaysian users should note that Chery vehicles sold locally are engineered for tropical conditions. The Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro feature cabin air filters rated for PM2.5 particulate matter, which is relevant for urban areas with haze exposure, and the air-conditioning systems are tuned for 35°C ambient temperatures. All Chery Malaysia vehicles are Sirim-certified and use the 240V/50Hz electrical standard for any accessories, compatible with standard UK-style Type G plugs used in Malaysia.

Chery’s UK 2% market share in July 2025 is a strong signal for Malaysian condominium dwellers in the Klang Valley who are evaluating a compact, feature-rich SUV but require reassurance on the brand’s global durability and local after-sales infrastructure.

How It Compares for Malaysian Users

To contextualise Chery’s UK achievement, the following comparison table illustrates how Chery’s Malaysian offerings stack up against direct competitors in the RM 100k–RM 150k segment.

For Malaysian users, Chery’s 2% UK market share—higher than Honda UK’s 1.1% in the same period—suggests that the Omoda 5 offers comparable or superior value to established Japanese brands in the RM 110,000–130,000 price bracket.

Common Questions

Does Chery’s UK success affect the resale value of Chery cars in Malaysia?

Yes, indirectly. According to Carsifu, Chery UK’s 2% market share in July 2025 demonstrates global demand, which strengthens brand perception among Malaysian used-car buyers. However, local resale value is still primarily determined by Malaysian dealer networks and after-sales support. As of August 2025, Chery Malaysia reports that 3-year-old Omoda 5 units retain approximately 72% of their original value, comparable to the Honda HR-V's 75% retention.

Are the Chery models sold in the UK the same as those sold in Malaysia?

The Omoda 5 and Jaecoo 7 sold in the UK are largely identical to Malaysian units in terms of chassis, engine, and transmission. The UK models use a 1.6L turbo petrol engine, while Malaysian CKD units use a 1.5L turbo, reflecting local excise duty structures. Both markets receive the same 7-year warranty and similar standard safety equipment, including 7 airbags and autonomous emergency braking.

How does the RM-to-GBP conversion affect the price comparison between UK and Malaysian Chery models?

Based on the August 2025 exchange rate of RM 5.50 per GBP, the UK Omoda 5 starting price of £24,000 converts to approximately RM 132,000. The Malaysian CKD price of RM 108,800 is 17.6% lower, reflecting the benefits of local assembly in Shah Alam, which avoids import duties of up to 30% and provides significant savings for Malaysian consumers.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the primary source material published by Carsifu, titled "Chery UK reaches record 2% UK market share in July," published on 1 August 2025. Additional market context was verified against public data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) for UK market statistics and the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) for Malaysian sales volumes.

Currency conversions are approximate, using the August 2025 prevailing exchange rate of 1 GBP = RM 5.50 and 1 USD = RM 4.20. All Malaysian pricing includes the standard sales tax (SST) exemption applicable to locally assembled vehicles. UK market share figures are based on monthly registration data and have not been independently audited for this article.

This article was last updated on 9 August 2025. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against Chery Malaysia’s official dealer network listings and MAA monthly sales reports for the first half of 2025.