22/06/2025

Contributing Editor Keshy Dhillon / keshy@piston.my Editorial

T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: lifestyle@thesundaily.com Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: advertise@thesundaily.com

SUNDAY | JUNE 22, 2025

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Decent rear storage box space.

iCaur 03 has unique appeal with classic off-road look Hit or miss?

BY KESHY DHILLON

ANOTHER DAY and another Chinese brand has made foot hold in Malaysia. But is that nec essarily a bad thing? Maybe for the competitions, but not for car buyers. While previously Malaysian car buyers had to choose from the usual brands from America, Europe and Japan, now they have more options. The Chinese have also shown that they can do everything the rest can and sometimes better and most of the time for cheaper as well. While some of the Chinese brands are yet to show their commitment to the Malaysian market by launching more deal erships, 3S centres, local assem bly and launch local spare part distribution centres. Some of the bigger names have done a great job. Take Chery for example. It has launched a myriad of mod els, they have a local assembly programme, a spare parts distri bution centre and they are also launching new showrooms on a near weekly basis. They were quick to sponsor our local badminton heroes. When the gas pipeline explosion happened in Putra Heights, it was Chery that responded first by offering cars for victims to use. Only then did the other car makers realise they have to do

No frunk.

Decent boot size.

So, rather than coming up with an all-new brand, the com pany simply included an alpha bet to skirt around legislations while maintaining the original pronunciation. Make of that what you will, but if it works, it works. Anyway, iCaur is the result of a collaboration between Chery and Xiamo’s subsidiary Zhimi Technology, which is also known as Smartmi Tech. iCaur is developed to produce electric lifestyle vehicles that will differentiate it from the rest of Chery sub-brands such as Jaecoo. Its first salvo at the Malaysian market The 03 is iCaur’s first model

something as well. That’s the commitment to a market I am talking about. There are also other brands from the large Chery tree that have been introduced for the Malaysian market as well. Jaecoo being one of them. And if you have been following the Malaysian automotive scene, you will know how well received Jaecoo has been. And now, there is another brand from Chery that has just been introduced, and it’s called iCaur, pronounced as i-car. The brand is known as iCar around the world, but the U had to be thrown in the name because there is a publishing company in Malaysia known as iCar.

No spare wheel.

as well, the 03 has a unique appeal to it. It has the classic proportions of an off-roader, like a classic Jeep. But more accurately, it has the proportions of a four-door Suzuki Jimny but with a modern touch of course. The head and taillights form

for the Malaysian market. Eventually there will be three or more models from the brand, including the 03, then the upcoming 03T as well as the V23. Previewed at this year’s Malaysia Auto Show with the order taking commencing then