RTD suspends Chery Omoda 5 vehicle type approval, new registrations pending safety probe

KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (RTD) has suspended vehicle type approval for the Chery Omoda 5 following a viral incident in Johor Baru last week in which the vehicle's rear axle detached completely.

RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said the move would also halt new registrations of the model until the technical investigation was completed and potential safety risks identified.

"The action will target the specific models and variants potentially involved. At the same time, Chery Malaysia must identify all potentially affected vehicles based on part numbers, production batches, vehicle identification numbers and other relevant technical parameters.

"A recall must be carried out for all units identified as posing a safety risk for inspection and appropriate corrective action," he said in a statement today.

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He added that RTD would conduct a technical audit of the Chery Omoda 5 production and assembly lines, as well as the relevant axle component suppliers.

"The audit will cover compliance with good manufacturing practice, quality control systems, weld joint inspection procedures and the safety of components used."

Aedy Fadly said the department would not compromise on any non-compliance that could endanger road users, adding that manufacturers were responsible for ensuring their vehicles met prescribed safety standards and technical requirements.

"The suspension will only be lifted once all corrective and preventive measures have been fully implemented and RTD has confirmed that all safety risks have been adequately addressed."