Chery's Omoda 5, whose rear axle detached while driving, faces sales ban and potential market exit

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Malaysia's Department of Transport (JPJ) has abruptly banned the sale of the Chinese automaker Chery's compact sport utility vehicle (SUV), the "Omoda 5," which had enjoyed high popularity, and revoked its type approval. The authorities took immediate strong regulatory action after videos and photos of an accident in which the rear suspension and axle of a moving Omoda 5 completely detached from the vehicle body spread across social media.

The defect occurred in pre-facelift older Omoda 5 C and H trim models. A detailed investigation identified a flaw in the welded components of the torsion beam rear suspension during local assembly as the cause, leading to a major safety incident in which the entire rear axle separated while driving. Chery only issued an official statement outlining its recall plan after the authorities revoked type approval and ordered a sales halt.

Chery had previously conducted a voluntary recall of 600 vehicles in 2024 due to the same rear axle issue. At that time, the matter was resolved as an error in the welding equipment settings at a parts supplier, but with the recurrence of an accident where wheels detached during actual driving just two years later, the company could not escape criticism for chronic quality control failures. In particular, suspicions arose that Chery delayed its official response for six days after the initial incident and attempted to suppress media coverage, pushing local consumer distrust to its peak.

Since entering the Malaysian market in 2023, Chery had rapidly increased sales volume and secured a top-tier position, but this fatal underbody defect and its complacent response have dealt a significant blow to brand credibility.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original