Here are some of the key things to know about Omoda
Omoda is one of the newest brands to arrive in the UK. It’s one of the latest Chinese-owned brands to arrive on these shores, too, bringing with it a high-tech and good-value approach to its vehicles.
But what is Omada, what cars does it sell and should you be considering them? Let’s take a look.
When did Omoda start?
Omoda is still in its relative infancy. It sits within the wider Chery Group, which was established in China in 1997. However, Chery also has a number of sites across the world, including research and development centres in Germany, the United States and Brazil. All of this background is what Omoda has to lean upon, giving it a great deal of resources for its vehicles.
Omoda is essentially the European-focused arm of Chery, delivering its cars with a focus more on premium finishes. This year will mark the first time that its cars will have been made available in the UK, too.
What cars will it sell in the UK?
Omoda will be entering into the busy mid-size SUV segment with its Omoda 5. It’s similar in size to a Hyundai Kona or Nissan Juke, putting it more at the compact end of the spectrum. Inside, it’s got a large widescreen infotainment system and a colour driver’s display. It’ll also be available both as a petrol or an electric, meaning that there should be something for all types of buyers. A hybrid version is also expected soon.
From there, it’s believed that Omoda will launch three models - the 3, 7 and 9 - starting with the compact crossover 3 and ending with the full-size SUV 9, which will be near Range Rover-sized proportions.
Which brands is Omoda rivalling?
Naturally, Omoda’s key rivals include other Chinese brands which have recently arrived in the UK, such as BYD, Geely and Aiways, alongside other newcomers such as NIO and Xpeng. However, you could argue that Omoda will also be rivalling some of the more established brands such as Hyundai and Kia, which both have brought a renewed focus on making value-friendly EVs and hybrids.
Though there is no formal infrastructure in place for Omoda, it is believed to already be sourcing dealership sites across the country.
Is Omoda going to be an electric-only brand?
No! Unlike other brands in the UK, Omoda has stated that it won’t be going down the solely electric route with its cars. While you will be able to get Omoda vehicles with an electric powertrain, you’ll also be able to find them with petrol and hybrid setups.
It’s a multi-pronged approach which should mean that drivers of all types are able to find an Omoda vehicle which fits them.
