OMODA X Debuts as the “World’s First CROSS Off-Road Vehicle”

On October 20, OMODA X made its global debut at OMODA X Night in Wuhu, China, positioned by the brand as the world’s first CROSS OFF-ROAD VEHICLE — a machine that combines the practicality of an SUV, the adventurous spirit of an off-road vehicle and the dynamic character of a sports car. The announcement, carried by GlobeNewswire on October 29, frames CROSS as freedom to move between lifestyles rather than a single vehicle category.

The numbers behind the claim are concrete: 200 mm of ground clearance, a designed wading capability of over 700 mm, towing capacity of up to 1,800 kg, a roof load capacity of 75 kg and 39 storage spaces for equipment such as cycling and surfing gear. At the debut, four users from Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa and Poland presented four interpretations of the car, drawing on their cultural backgrounds and interests — a deliberate signal that OMODA is pitching this as a global lifestyle vehicle, not a China-only product.

The “world’s first” label should be read as marketing, not engineering history — crossovers with off-road pretensions are decades old. What is genuinely new is the branding strategy: OMODA takes its three core DNA elements — MECHA, CROSS and SMART — and pushes them further with bolder mecha styling, greater crossover versatility and personalised intelligent experiences. The car follows the OMODA 4’s Paris Motor Show debut earlier in October, and it arrives in a month when OMODA and JAECOO posted a record UK September, with 22,296 registrations, up 106% year over year.