Another new car brand is targeting imminent UK sales, with Omoda promising to bring its Nissan Qashqai-sized crossover SUV, the Omoda 5, to our shores in early 2024.
The brand promises to “merge cutting-edge technology with a future-facing eco-conscious approach”, making the 1.6-litre petrol engine under the bonnet look something of an anachronism. There’s no hybrid or plug-in hybrid option, but a fully electric version will follow.
Omoda will sell only urban-focussed crossover SUV models, with the Omoda 5 — a renamed version of the Chery Omoda 5 introduced by the Chinese manufacturer into Russia and Kazakhstan last year — the first to “set it apart from legacy manufacturers” by providing the latest technologies at a “responsible” price.
Built around Chery’s T1X platform introduced in 2016, the Omoda 5 promises expanded interior space with exceptional ride capabilities. Power initially will come from a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine developing 197hp with 290Nm of torque, geared towards efficient performance. The Omoda 5 EV will also be available in 2024.
The car secured a pleasing five-star safety rating when it was put through Euro NCAP’s stringent testing
regime. A comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems will be available as standard, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and high beam assist.
“The automotive industry has entered an unprecedented era of intelligent and new energy technology products,” commented Chen Chunqing, CEO of Omoda. “Marked by a surge in demand for personalisation and individual expression, we’ve seen the ascent of the SUV segment, which now dominates the ten best-selling models globally. Omoda aims to stand at the forefront of this transformation. With a projected global sales target of 1.4 million units by 2030, we’re marking Omoda out as a leader in personalised intelligent vehicles worldwide whilst creating a community platform for owners to share their experiences.”
Omoda Community Platform
Far from simply making cars, Omoda wants to create a movement. O-Life and O-Lab might sound like funky nightclubs, but the reality is that they’re divisions that focus on advocacy and development of low-carbon technologies and co-creation and experimentation.
Omoda enthusiasts — called Omoders — are, apparently, part of a dynamic community that’s driven by creativity, seeks improvement, and embraces new ideas. Through the firm’s O-Club, these enthusiasts become ambassadors, connected with a global network of like-minded individuals that will encourage unity, interaction, and the creation of connections across borders.
Owners will be invited to exclusive events and activities, while O-Fashion will integrate minimalism and futurism with smart wearable fashion and a futuristic aesthetic style.
Oh, good.
He is the founder of Huff Media, publisher of Professional Pickup, Professional Van, Average Janes, Average Joes, and CALIBRE. His work focuses primarily on light commercial vehicles, pickups, and real-world vehicle use, with much of his time spent on manufacturer launches, industry events, and long-term vehicle testing.