Freelander, the independent brand under the Chery-JLR joint venture, announced that its first model, the Freelander 8, will roll off the line on July 30 and open pre-sales on August 10. The EREV all-terrain SUV features Huawei Qiankun ADS 5, an 800V platform, and will first enter the Middle East market.
Brand Revival: A Classic Name Reborn
Freelander was once a classic compact SUV under Land Rover, first launched in 1997 and replaced by the Discovery Sport in 2015. On March 31, 2026, the Chery-JLR joint venture upgraded it into an independent NEV brand, formally announcing the revival of this iconic name.
Unlike the China-built Discovery Sport and Evoque, the new Freelander is not a Land Rover model series but a completely independent brand — without the green oval badge or Land Rover dealer network. It will be sold through Chery's existing distribution channels.
Freelander Global CEO Wen Fei described the brand as a product of the joint venture "3.0 era": "International heritage, Chinese technology, and global systems are converging to create new competitiveness."
Freelander 8: A Technology Showcase
As the brand's first model after revival, the Freelander 8 spares no expense on technology:
- ADAS: Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 standard across all trims, among the world's first production vehicles with a 4-LiDAR setup
- Cockpit chip: One of the first vehicles to use Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8397 automotive-grade chip
- High-voltage platform: 800V architecture with peak charging power of 350 kW
- Battery: All-terrain battery jointly developed with CATL
- Powertrain: Extended-range electric (EREV)
The Freelander 8 measures 5,118 mm in length (5,185 mm with optional configuration), 2,050 mm in width, and 1,898 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,040 mm. The interior features a 2+2+2 six-seat layout, with second-row zero-gravity seats offering heating, ventilation, and massage.
A striking 46.3-inch remote display and a 15.6-inch center screen dominate the cabin.
"1+3" Global Development Model
Freelander adopts a unique "1+3" product development approach: 1 China version plus 3 international variants developed simultaneously for left-hand-drive markets, the EU, and right-hand-drive markets. Wen stated this approach is designed to meet regulatory standards in over 180 major automotive markets worldwide.
| Market Region | Version Type | Expected Launch |
|---|---|---|
| China | Domestic | August 2026 pre-sales |
| Middle East | Left-hand drive | End of 2026 - early 2027 |
| Europe | EU spec | 2027 |
| Australia / SE Asia | Right-hand drive | TBD |
JV 3.0: A New Paradigm for Sino-Foreign Partnerships
Freelander's birth marks a new phase in Sino-foreign automotive joint ventures. If JV 1.0 was "market for technology" and 2.0 was "Chinese technology feedback," then 3.0 is characterized by mutual empowerment — Chinese brands provide electrification platforms, intelligent technology, and supply chain efficiency; foreign partners contribute brand heritage, global channels, and quality standards.
Chery will invest an additional RMB 3 billion (approx. $442 million) in the Changshu plant to support a product plan of 6 new models in China and global markets over the next 5 years.
For buyers in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Russia, the arrival of the Freelander 8 offers a new choice combining British design DNA with Chinese intelligent technology. Through export platforms like EX1000.COM, the Middle East version is expected to reach Gulf markets between late 2026 and early 2027.
