Chery Group’s new-energy sub-brand iCAUR said its V23 electric SUV has claimed the top sales position in Southeast Asia’s boxy new-energy SUV segment, with cumulative deliveries climbing across Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The company cited consecutive monthly segment leadership in Thailand, more than 1,800 units delivered in Malaysia since launch, and more than 300 blind pre-orders at the vehicle’s Indonesia International Motor Show debut in February. The model carries a five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating and topped J.D. Power’s 2026 China NEV-APEAL study for mid-size pure electric SUVs.
Highlights
- Cumulative Thailand sales have surpassed 4,000 units, placing the V23 among the country’s top five EV models by registration.
- The V23 is the first pure electric boxy SUV to earn a five-star rating under the ASEAN NCAP v4 protocol, scoring 91.02 points.
- The SUV offers a 43° approach angle, 41° departure angle, and 210 mm ground clearance, paired with a 2,735 mm wheelbase.
- iCAUR will showcase modified V23 variants, AIMOGA robots, and robotic dogs at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show and iCAUR International Business Summit.
Regional sales performance
Thailand has emerged as the V23’s strongest Southeast Asian market. Cumulative sales have surpassed 4,000 units, and the model has ranked first in the country’s boxy pure-EV SUV segment for two consecutive months. It has also entered the top five EV models by registration in Thailand, a market that continues to lead Southeast Asia in EV adoption on the back of sustained government incentives and rapidly expanding local production.
At the 2026 Thailand Model of the Year Awards, the V23 was recognized as Best Performance Compact SUV EV and Best Boxy Style.
In Indonesia, the V23 debuted at the Indonesia International Motor Show in February 2026, where it collected three show awards — Best APM Outdoor Activity, Favourite New Car Launch, and Favorite Newcomer Car Brand — and drew more than 300 blind pre-orders. Malaysian deliveries have exceeded 1,800 units since launch, with iCAUR operating through its Glenmarie dealership network under local partner Absolute Motor.
Product positioning for regional terrain
iCAUR has positioned the V23 against Southeast Asia’s mix of mountainous terrain, unpaved rural routes, and dense urban commuting. The company cites a 43° approach angle, 41° departure angle, and 210 mm of ground clearance, with a 2,735 mm wheelbase intended to balance off-road geometry with interior and cargo space.
In international trim, the V23 is offered with either a 59.93 kWh LFP battery paired with a 100 kW rear-drive motor or an 81.76 kWh NMC battery driving a dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration rated at 155 kW and 292 Nm. Manufacturer-quoted range figures of up to 430 km are based on the NEDC cycle; WLTP-equivalent range is roughly 360 km for the higher-capacity variant, according to regional specification disclosures.
Safety certification and independent recognition
The V23 scored 91.02 points under the ASEAN NCAP v4 crash-test protocol, qualifying for a five-star rating and becoming the first pure electric boxy SUV to achieve that result. The vehicle’s cage body structure is built from 70% high-strength steel, and the standard equipment list includes autonomous emergency braking (city and inter-urban), lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, blind-spot detection, and motorcyclist-safety technologies.
Separately, the model topped J.D. Power’s 2026 China New Energy Vehicle Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (NEV-APEAL) Study in the mid-size pure electric SUV segment. The NEV-APEAL methodology surveys owners two to six months after purchase across 11 dimensions, including ride comfort, infotainment, driving feel, safety, and charging.
Customization push and upcoming appearances
iCAUR said it has developed what it describes as a flexible modification ecosystem for the V23, citing expansion ports and region-specific upgrade parts. The brand plans to show modified V23 variants — including previously teased pickup, convertible, and space-themed editions — at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show and the upcoming iCAUR International Business Summit, alongside the company’s AIMOGA robots and robotic dogs.
The V23 continues to anchor iCAUR’s international rollout, which has already placed the brand in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Middle East, with a range-extender flagship V27 launched globally earlier this year and a South Africa market entry scheduled for May 2026.
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