Chery International last month introduced the OMODA brand in South Africa, making it the first country on the African continent to offer the new luxury sub-brand.
By welcoming OMODA to its shores, South Africa joins several countries globally, including South America, Asia, and soon also Europe and Australia, to be added to the list of countries selling the brand.
The first model from OMODA, the OMODA C5, will become available in mid-April and will be sold through 30 pre-selected dealers covering all major metros and cities. Each dealer has been pre-selected to offer a dedicated range of sales and support services to OMODA customers. Each has invested in the range of dedicated diagnostic and support services required.
“OMODA is a new, modern and luxurious new vehicle brand that showcases what can be done when a brand is not hindered by legacy technology or design,” says Tony Liu, the Executive Deputy General Manager of Chery South Africa.
“Every aspect of this range of products, from vehicle design, performance, technology and driving pleasure, has been designed from a clean slate and will truly surprise and delight South African motorists,” says Liu.
The name OMODA is an amalgamation of concepts resulting from a competition that saw over 10,000 entries from 30 countries. Entrants tried to capture the spirit of a new brand that aims to redefine motoring, and the most unique and meaningful names that capture this new spirit made the shortlist before OMODA was chosen.
OMODA C5
As the first model to showcase for OMODA, the OMODA C5 cuts a unique silhouette in a market saturated with generic SUVs.
The OMODA designers conceptualised a design language called Art in Motion to create this sporty and unique new SUV. Each element – including the liquid lines of the diamond matrix grille that flows seamlessly into the lights and shoulder line – has been conceptualised exclusively for OMODA.
Among the many unique features of the first model – the OMODA C5 – are a rounded glasshouse with imperceptible edges and lines, a wedge-shaped roofline that flows from the bonnet to the pinched rear quarter and the use of thin, arrow-shaped head- and tail lamps with next-generation smart LED illumination.
Among the many innovations inside this five-door crossover SUV is ambient lighting with near-infinite colour combinations, a clean centre console with intelligent interactive switchgear and wireless charging and dual integrated 10.25” screens that smoothly incorporate the vehicle and entertainment information.
FUTURE-PROOF TECHNOLOGY
While the range and line-up of the new OMODA C5 are yet to be revealed, it is worth noting that the OMODA C5 is built on the Chery Group’s T1X platform.
This platform not only has an industry-leading weight and rigidity rating, but it offers sportscar levels of grip and handling without the harsh ride often associated with that vehicle category.
The T1X platform is also known globally for its innovative design that allows for the future use of any form of propulsion, be it internal combustion petrol and diesel engines, battery-electric systems or even hydrogen propulsion.
LAST WORD
To help establish OMODA in South Africa and support customers of this modern new brand, Chery South Africa has approved 30 Chery dealers to allocate a part of their dealership and staff to OMODA.
To welcome the first customers to the OMODA brand and celebrate the upcoming launch of the OMODA C5, OMODA South Africa has launched a dedicated pre-order campaign at www.omoda.co.za/pre-order. The campaign will offer the first 100 customers a selection of special gifts, including a R10,000 voucher, a unique set of Bathu-OMODA sneakers, a customised set of vehicle decals celebrating the first edition model, and additional merchandise.
To qualify for this special offer, OMODA fans can register on the link above and pay a fully refundable deposit. South Africans interested in learning more about OMODA can follow the brand on their various social media channels or visit www.omoda.co.za.
Report & Images © CHERY SOUTH AFRICA
