Chery has begun local production of the iCar V23 electric sport utility vehicle in Malaysia, marking another step in the Chinese automaker’s strategy to expand manufacturing and sales across Southeast Asia.
The first locally assembled iCar V23 has rolled off the production line at Chery’s new manufacturing facility in Selangor. The company said the vehicle will begin arriving at Malaysian dealerships in late July.
Local Production Begins at New Plant
The iCar V23, an all-electric SUV with a boxy design aimed primarily at younger buyers, was first introduced in Malaysia in November 2025.
The model is offered in two variants, priced between 119,800 Malaysian ringgit and 132,800 ringgit.
The rear-wheel-drive version available in Malaysia is powered by a single electric motor producing 100 kilowatts, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version delivers a combined output of 155 kilowatts and 292 Newton-meters of peak torque.
In China, the latest iCar V23 lineup offers more powerful versions producing up to 185 kilowatts for the two-wheel-drive model and 335 kilowatts for the four-wheel-drive variant, which can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.5 seconds.
Chinese-market versions are available with CLTC driving ranges of 401 kilometers, 501 kilometers and 550 kilometers.
Manufacturing Capacity to Expand
Construction of Chery’s new Malaysian production facility began in February 2025 at the Automotive High-Tech Valley in Selangor.
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The factory occupies approximately 81 hectares and has an initial annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles. The company has reserved additional space to expand production capacity to 300,000 vehicles per year in the future.
According to Chery, part of the remaining site will also accommodate component suppliers as well as potential training and research and development facilities.
Before opening the new plant, Chery already assembled several models in Malaysia, including the Jaecoo J7 and Omoda C9 for the domestic market.
Chinese Automakers Expand in Malaysia
Malaysia has become an increasingly important manufacturing and sales hub for Chinese automotive brands seeking to strengthen their presence in Southeast Asia.
In addition to Chery, automakers including BYD, Geely Auto, Xpeng, SAIC MG and GWM have entered the Malaysian market, with several companies either operating local assembly facilities or announcing plans to establish production in the country.
The start of local iCar V23 production further expands Chery’s manufacturing footprint in the region as competition among electric vehicle manufacturers continues to grow across Southeast Asia.
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