Chery NEVs Take Wins at Malaysia Car of the Year 2025; Hybrid Push Gathers Pace for 2026
Chery Malaysia’s electrified SUVs have secured two major honours at the recent Malaysia Car of the Year 2025 awards, as the brand prepares to accelerate its hybrid expansion in 2026.
The Chery TIGGO Cross HEV was named Crossover xEV of the Year (Below RM120,000), while the Chery TIGGO 8 PHEV received the award for Most Energy Efficient Vehicle for 2025.
The recognition highlights growing market acceptance of Chery’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) portfolio, particularly within the hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUV segments.
“We are especially proud to see the TIGGO Cross HEV resonate so strongly with Malaysian drivers, alongside the TIGGO 8 PHEV. These awards reflect the strength of our electrified technology, from intelligent power management to the seamless balance of strong performance and impressive fuel efficiency,” said Lee Wen Hsiang, Vice President of Chery Malaysia.
“For us, this also reinforces that we are bringing the right products to meet the needs of our customers, while reflecting Chery’s growing role in electrified mobility and our ability to meet Malaysia’s evolving expectations for energy-efficient and eco-conscious vehicles,” he added.
Hybrid Mix Expected to Rise to 30% in 2026
Chery confirmed that its Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) variants accounted for 21% of total sales in 2025, with internal combustion engine (ICE) models contributing 79%.
For 2026, the company anticipates hybrid models will represent 30% of its overall sales mix, reflecting increasing Malaysian interest in advanced hybrid technology as a practical alternative to full battery-electric ownership.
The TIGGO family remains central to this growth strategy. Its contribution to total brand sales rose from 16% in 2023, to 37% in 2024, before reaching 66% in 2025.
From 2023 to 2025, Chery recorded cumulative sales of 30,073 units in Malaysia, including 12,930 units in 2025.
2026 Product Expansion Underway
Following the recent introduction of the entry-level TIGGO 8 in January, Chery has outlined several additional launches for 2026:
- Second quarter: A new flagship luxury SUV
- Third quarter: Two new additions — one positioned as a more performance-oriented and versatile model, and another described as a youthful evolution of the brand’s design direction
- Fourth quarter: A further model centred on the latest advancements in CSH technology
With petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options now spanning much of the TIGGO range, Chery is steadily broadening its electrified SUV coverage in Malaysia.
Network Strengthening and Gen-4 Retail Identity
Chery’s current nationwide footprint includes:
- 59 sales centres
- 54 aftersales facilities
- 25 body and paint outlets
Rather than pursue rapid numerical expansion, the brand stated it will focus on strengthening operational consistency and service quality across its existing network.
Chery has also begun rolling out its Generation 4 showroom identity, with Chery Perai in Penang becoming the first outlet to adopt the updated retail concept. The refreshed design features black steel structural elements, an updated logo, expanded interior space and distinctive waterfall blue facade lighting.
Future 3S and 4S centres are expected to gradually adopt the new retail identity as part of the company’s long-term customer experience strategy.
CarTok Editor’s Note
Awards validate the product. Sales trends validate the strategy. With hybrids projected to make up nearly a third of its mix in 2026 and the TIGGO range now driving two-thirds of total volume, Chery’s electrification push in Malaysia is shifting from experimentation to execution.
