Peter Lyon
February 17, 2025
Chery has just crossed a huge bridge in terms of local production and supply. Locally assembled (CKD) cars are now being exported by Chery Corporate Malaysia (Chery) to neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia. The Jaecoo J7 and Jaecoo J7 PHEV SUVs are among the first vehicles to be exported, but the firm claims that “more models and brands” will soon be added to the list.
Vietnam, a left-hand drive market, will be the first of the SEA nations to receive shipments of the J7 and J7 PHEV SUVs. The aPhilippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei will follow soon after.
Beginning in June of last year, all Chery and Jaecoo automobiles that are shipped to Vietnam and other SEA countries will be produced in Chery’s Shah Alam production plant.
According to Leo Chen, vice president of Chery Corporate Malaysia, the company is making strides in establishing Malaysia as the Chinese automaker’s centre for SEA production and research and development (R&D). Chen claimed that increasing export capabilities also increases the automaker’s ability to produce enough cars to satisfy the region’s rising demand for Chinese automakers’ products.
Chery will also help to enhance SEA’s supply chain, foster local talent, and advance Malaysia’s economy. Chery Malaysia says it will succeed in its objective of making Malaysia the premier export location for Chery automobiles, including its high-end sub-brand, Jaecoo,” Leo says.
By the end of this month, the Jaecoo J7 PHEV, which has just started local assembly work at Chery’s Shah Alam facility, will make its local premiere in Malaysia.
With a 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four engine and an integrated motor in its dedicated hybrid gearbox, the soon-to-be-released J7 PHEV boasts a hybrid system that the company has dubbed “Super Hybrid System” with an 18.3 kWh hybrid battery pack.
The J7’s maximum output of 347 horsepower and 525 Nm is sent directly to the front-wheel drive powertrain, allowing it to reach 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. Additionally, the J7 PHEV has a 90-kilometer electric range and can be powered by either pure petrol or electric power.
A local journalist claims that during a test drive, he exceeded Jaecoo’s stated 1,200 km range by achieving 1,427.5 km without charging or refilling. Even going so far as to set a fuel consumption rate of 2.5L/100km in contrast to Jaecoo’s stated 6.6L/100km.
As a plug-in hybrid, it has a 6.6 kW on-board AC charger and can handle up to 40 kW of DC power. Additionally, it features aerodynamic 19-inch alloy wheels with Kumho tires and various side mirrors.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
With its large-as-life, bold grille, and sharp aesthetics, the J7 certainly stands out in a crowd. And with its gutsy powertrain, proven 1400-plus km and combined range and 90km of full electric range, the J7 takes the game to its rivals.
