CHERY Group has indefinitely postponed the opening of its automobile manufacturing plant in Thailand, originally scheduled for 26 Feb 2026, citing unforeseen circumstances involving the chairman of the ceremony. However, the company informed the media and dealers less than 10 hours before the event began.
The company OMODA & JAECOO (Thailand) Limited and Chery (Thailand) orChery Thailandannounced via the Chery Thailand Facebook fan page that the scheduled opening ceremony of the OMODA & JAECOO Manufacturing (Thailand) plant in Makham Khu Subdistrict, Nikhom Phatthana District, Rayong Province, today (26 Feb 2026) has been postponed.
This is due to an unforeseen circumstance involving a senior executive of Chery Automobile Group, who was scheduled to preside over the ceremony but could not attend. The company therefore had to delay the event to ensure it is conducted properly and appropriately.
The company apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and affirms that the project's operations continue as planned.
The new date for the opening ceremony will be announced at an appropriate time. The company thanks everyone for their understanding and continued support.
Reporters noted that Chery Thailand informed the media and automotive KOLs of the postponement via its public relations staff at 10:00 p.m. on 25 Feb 2026, raising questions about why the opening was delayed just hours before the event. The scale of the opening was meant to reassure customers of Chery Thailand and the OMODA & JAECOO brands.
Chery is one of the earliest Chinese automobile brands to enter the Thai market in 2009, 17 years ago. At that time, Chinese products, especially cars, were not widely accepted by Thai consumers, lacking distinctive features beyond competitive pricing, which limited the brand’s popularity.
On 24 Apr 2025, Mr. Narut Therdsteerasak, Secretary-General of the Board of Investment (BOI), stated that Chery Automobile's investment plan in Thailand will operate under OMODA & JAECOO (Thailand). OMODA and JAECOO are Chery brands for international markets.
- The first phase will establish a factory in Rayong Province within 2025 to produce approximately 50,000 electric vehicles annually, including both BEV and HEV models.
- The second phase, by 2028, aims to expand production capacity to 80,000 vehicles per year. Initially, the company will import the first electric model, the OMODA C5 EV, a 100% electric crossover SUV, to test the market.
Chery was founded in 1997 by the Anhui provincial mayor's office under the name Anhui Auto Parts Industry, focusing mainly on engine production. Two years later, as Chery Automotive, the company produced its first car on 18 December 1999, selling about 30,000 units in China.
Chery Group became recognized globally as a hybrid organization blending state-owned business with a new generation startup. In 2001, it began exporting vehicles internationally for the first time.
By 2007, less than eight years after launching vehicle sales, Chery Group had sold one million cars, marking the fastest growth record in China and worldwide in the automotive industry at that time. It became China’s seventh-largest and most efficient vehicle manufacturer and the country’s biggest passenger car exporter.
In 2022, Chery Group reached a new milestone, selling over 1.2 million vehicles and exporting about 500,000 globally. In 2023, it aims to exceed industry growth rates with projected sales surpassing two million worldwide. For 2024, Chery targets over three million sales globally and plans market entry into the UK and USA.
A key difference between Chery Group and other Chinese auto brands is that Chery was the first Chinese automaker to establish an overseas R&D Center to tailor products to regional customer needs. Beyond expanding markets, the company focuses on product development aligned with customer demands.
Chery also prioritizes automotive production technology, which is crucial to its success. This includes engines, transmissions, and chassis systems, enabling Chery Group to offer products with global-quality standards and technologies.
In mid-2023, at the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2023), Chery Group launched new brands OMODA and JAECOO. These brands reflect user lifestyles with designs and functions aligned with the latest Chery Group technologies.