Chery Corporate Malaysia Sdn Bhd has begun exporting JAECOO vehicles to Brunei, marking its second ASEAN export market and reinforcing Malaysia’s growing role as a regional production and export hub for the brand.
This milestone was marked by a first-batch export shipping ceremony officiated by Chery Corporate Malaysia Executive Vice President, Men Lin Bo. The move follows the company’s earlier expansion into Vietnam and forms part of a longer-term strategy to grow its footprint across Southeast Asia.
“The export market is a key pillar for our long-term growth strategy in the ASEAN region. We are thrilled to continue this growth momentum of expanding our brand reach to more markets,” said Men.
Chery Corporate Malaysia Vice-President Cheng Nam Weng said Brunei was a logical next step in the company’s regional expansion, citing both proximity and market potential.
“Following the start of exports to Vietnam in February 2025, Brunei’s proximity and market potential make it a logical and important next step. This initial shipment of the JAECOO J7 allows us to gauge market reception and lay a solid foundation in Brunei,” he said.
The initial export shipment comprises the JAECOO J7 in both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and internal combustion engine (ICE) two-wheel-drive variants. All units are manufactured at Chery’s Shah Alam plant and carry identical specifications to the models currently offered in the Malaysian market.
With a strong foothold established locally, Chery Corporate Malaysia is implementing a measured regional growth strategy. Following exports to Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and now Brunei, the company aims to progressively expand into other ASEAN markets over time.
Its medium-term export approach prioritises sustainable growth, with an initial focus on building strong foundations in key markets such as Vietnam and Brunei. Performance data, customer feedback and market trends will be closely evaluated to guide future expansion decisions.
CarTok Editor’s Note
Malaysia-made cars quietly heading out to neighbouring markets may not grab headlines — but it’s exactly how regional automotive credibility is built.
