Chery launches another SUV brand in China called Lepas

Chery’s SUV expansion continues with the Chinese automotive heavyweight unveiling a brand-new marque, Lepas, aimed squarely at younger, style-conscious buyers.

The first vehicle to emerge from Lepas is dubbed the L8, and it rolled off the production line in Wuhu, China last month. The L8 will spearhead the brand’s global push, leading a line-up that includes the mid-size L6, compact L4 and entry-level L2. All four will share Chery’s versatile T1X platform, already familiar to Kiwi buyers through models like the Jaecoo J7 while the Chery Tiggo models will be here soon too. 

Read more Chery announces Tiggo SUV models for New Zealand

The name Lepas, Chery says, combines the ideas of “leap” and “passion”, fitting for a brand that plans to launch in 27 countries by the end of 2025, and 45 by 2027. With global annual sales targets of 500,000 units, Lepas is set to become a major player in Chery’s expanding stable of sub-brands, which already includes Exeed, Jetour, Omoda, Jaecoo, and Luxeed, among others.

It’s been reported that Chery Australia remains tight-lipped on plans for Lepas to show up Downunder, but the brand’s ambitions and existing momentum suggest a likely entry at some point.

Lepas vehicles will offer battery-electric, petrol-hybrid (non-plug-in), and pure petrol drivetrains. The L2 will launch as a full EV, while hybrid models will employ Chery’s latest ‘Super Hybrid System’ that has already been seen in the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit. Chery claims a real-world range of over 1400km from this setup, rivalling some diesel offerings in long-haul capability.

Locally, Chery is deep into an SUV roll-out, with a range of Tiggo models confirmed for New Zealand. More hybrids and plug-in variants of the Omoda 5, Tiggo 7 Pro, and Tiggo 8 Pro Max are also under consideration.