Freelander to return as a Chery?  

JLR is preparing to resurrect the Freelander nameplate, this time not as a Land Rover model but as a standalone brand developed through its 50:50 joint venture with Chinese giant Chery. According to a report from Autocar UK, the first vehicle from the reborn brand will debut in early 2026 as a large plug-in hybrid “coupe” SUV, launching first in China later that year. 

While it borrows its badge from Land Rover history, the original Freelander ran from 1997 to 2015 before being replaced by the Discovery Sport, the new model will ride on Chery underpinnings. Specifically, it’s expected to use the T1X platform, shared with the Tiggo 7 (pictured below) and Tiggo 8 SUVs. 

Initially it’s for China alone 

For now, the Freelander brand is being developed primarily for the Chinese market, with sales handled through Chery’s dealer network, separate from JLR’s own “House of Brands” structure that includes Defender, Discovery and Range Rover. 

But expansion outside China is already being discussed. 

JLR China president Qing Pan told media that Freelander has “potential for global expansion,” while earlier reports suggest the brand may enter the UK before 2030 — which would require right-hand-drive production and put New Zealand in the frame should JLR choose to expand further. 

Pan added that the first model would “echo the original spirit of Freelander but [be] brought up to date to appeal to discerning, technologically savvy Chinese consumers.”