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12 clusters · 42 sources · 62 days · First seen · Last updated
Chery-JLR Freelander brand launch and global expansion
Overview
Mass production of the Freelander 8 electric SUV began on 30 July 2026 at the Chery-Jaguar Land Rover (CJLR) plant in Changshu, Jiangsu. Following a postponed pre-sale launch on 14 August due to Typhoon Dolphin, the vehicle reportedly secured over 10,000 pre-orders within its first 48 hours. Operating as an independent brand under the CJLR umbrella, the Freelander 8 utilizes Chery’s architectures and Jaguar Land Rover’s stylistic heritage, though it does not feature Land Rover emblems. The SUV is an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) measuring over 5.1 meters in length, featuring a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing 610 kW (818 hp) and 813 Nm of torque.
In mid-September, the CJLR joint venture announced that the Freelander 8 earned a Guinness World Record for being the hybrid vehicle to climb to the highest altitude above sea level, successfully navigating terrain in the Tibet mountains at 6,002 meters.
On 30 September 2026, CJLR officially launched the Freelander brand with the Freelander 8 at a global event in Abu Dhabi. While the vehicle is available in China as a dual-motor all-wheel-drive EREV, the brand is now expanding internationally. The United Arab Emirates serves as the first market outside of China. Australia and New Zealand have been identified as priority right-hand-drive markets, with the Freelander 8 expected to arrive there in 2027. Kym Mellow has been appointed to lead the brand in the Australian and New Zealand regions.
Entities
Jaguar Land Rover · Freelander · Chery · Freelander 8 · Huawei
Timeline
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[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesChery Jaguar Land Rover launches Freelander brand with Freelander 8 SUV
The Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture has launched the Freelander brand, debuting the Freelander 8 SUV which will arrive in Australia and New Zealand in 2027.
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[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesFREELANDER to launch international brand in Abu Dhabi
FREELANDER will launch its international brand in Abu Dhabi on September 29. Its flagship FREELANDER 8 SUV recently set a Guinness World Record for hybrid vehicle altitude in Tibet.
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[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesFREELANDER selects UAE as first international market
British automotive brand FREELANDER has entered its first international market, the UAE, appointing Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors as authorized distributors ahead of a global launch in Abu Dhabi.
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[TECHNOLOGY] 5 sourcesFreelander 8 sets Guinness World Record at 6,002 meters in Tibet
The Chery Jaguar Land Rover Freelander 8 EREV set a Guinness World Record by reaching an altitude of 6,002 meters in Tibet, China, demonstrating the capabilities of EREV technology in extreme environments.
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[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesFreelander 8 SUV breaks Guinness record and sees rapid sales
The Freelander 8 SUV, a Jaguar Land Rover and Chery joint venture, secured 5,000 orders in 12 hours in China and set a Guinness World Record for climbing the Tibetan Plateau.
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[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesFREELANDER brand names Duan Yihong ambassador; Shenxing 8 to launch Sept 3
FREELANDER, a Chery and Jaguar Land Rover joint venture, named actor Duan Yihong as brand ambassador ahead of the September 3 launch of its Shenxing 8 luxury SUV.
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[BUSINESS] 8 sourcesFreelander 8 SUV secures 10,000 pre-orders in 48 hours
The Freelander 8, an EREV SUV from the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture, secured over 10,000 pre-orders in China within 48 hours of its August 2026 launch.
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[BUSINESS] 5 sourcesChery and Jaguar Land Rover launch Freelander 8 SUV
The new Freelander 8, a collaboration between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover, has received over 10,000 orders in China within 48 hours of opening pre-orders.
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[BUSINESS] 8 sourcesFreelander 8 SUV launches in China via Chery-JLR joint venture
Chery and Jaguar Land Rover's new Freelander brand has opened pre-orders for the Freelander 8 SUV in China, securing over 10,000 orders in 48 hours for the 818 hp range-extended electric vehicle.
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[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesFreelander 8 pre‑sales launch delayed to Aug 14 amid Typhoon Dolphin in east China
Freelander 8’s pre‑sales event in Changshu, China, was shifted from Aug 10 to Aug 14 because Typhoon Dolphin threatens the east China coast; the premium EV SUV showcases Huawei and Qualcomm technology.
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[BUSINESS] 6 sourcesFreelander 8 SUV production begins in China
Jaguar Land Rover and Chery begin production of the Freelander 8 SUV in China, targeting up to 300,000 units by 2030 and planning a European launch.
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[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesFreelander 8 SUV Enters Mass Production at Chery‑JLR Plant in Changshu, China
Freelander 8 SUVs began mass production on July 30 at Chery‑JLR’s Changshu plant in China, with pre‑sales set for Aug 10 and a Middle‑East debut slated for September.
Sources
adnKronos.com · aquidauananews.com · auto-swiat.pl · autoblog.it · autocar.co.nz · autoesporte.globo.com · autosactual.mx · autosport.pt · autotalk.co.nz · autotypos.gr · autoweb.com.ar · carandmotor.gr · carroscomcamanzi.com.br · cnevpost.com · cnmo.com · communitynews.com.au · dailyguardian.ca · diariomotor.com · donanimhaber.com · enerzine.com · es.motor1.com · evsandbeyond.co.nz · fleetmag.fr · gamemag.it · gaycarboys.com · gulfnews.com · halktv.com.tr · heavyharmonies.com · ithome.com · jpnn.com · m.jpnn.com · megautos.com · motor.es · motorbox.com · motori.it · otomotif.antaranews.com · otomotif.liputan6.com · qatarpress.qa · quatrorodas.abril.com.br · rollingworldwide.com · superauto.pl · technotoday.com.tr
This summary has been updated 10 times: see revision history