Freelander

Freelander is an automotive marque announced by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Chery in June 2024. It is intended to introduce a separate family of electrified vehicles developed through the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture, rather than extending either the Chery or JLR consumer brand portfolios. The marque takes its name from the Land Rover Freelander, a compact SUV sold from 1997 to 2015, but it represents a new commercial and product program rather than a continuation of that earlier model line. The initial business plan centers on China. Vehicles carrying the Freelander name are expected to be produced at Chery Jaguar Land Rover's existing facility in Changshu, Jiangsu. Chery is responsible for engineering and development under the partnership arrangement, while JLR contributes vehicle design. The program was initially expected to use Chery's electric-vehicle architecture, giving the marque access to a locally developed technical foundation and manufacturing capacity. JLR and Chery have also indicated that exports to markets outside China could be considered after the brand is established domestically. The planned range is focused on new-energy sport utility vehicles. In 2025, the partners described a three-vehicle program, with the first model planned as a large six-seat hybrid SUV developed under the internal code E0V. The vehicle had originally been associated with Chery's Exeed brand but was subsequently transferred to the new Freelander marque. This positioning gives Freelander a role between mainstream Chinese new-energy vehicle offerings and more premium, design-led SUV products, although detailed pricing, distribution, specifications, and market rollout plans have not been publicly established in the available source material. The brand's first public design statement was the Freelander Concept 97, unveiled on 31 March 2026. Its name refers to 1997, the launch year of the original Land Rover Freelander. The concept previews the Freelander 8, a full-size SUV planned in plug-in hybrid, battery-electric, and extended-range electric configurations. A production-intent version of the Freelander 8 was shown on 25 April 2026 as a hybrid vehicle. These presentations marked the transition from a partnership announcement to a visible product program. Freelander's long-term identity is therefore based on electrification, SUV specialization, Chinese engineering and production resources, and JLR-led design. The marque is distinct from the legacy Land Rover Freelander model even though it uses the same name. As of the available references, the brand remains at an early launch stage: one model has been presented in production-intent form, while broader specifications, sales operations, leadership appointments, final ownership structure, and confirmed international markets remain undisclosed.

Freelander is a vehicle marque created through cooperation between Jaguar Land Rover and Chery. The name is derived from the Land Rover Freelander, a compact SUV marketed from 1997 through 2015, but the new marque is a separate venture and is not presented as a revival of the former Land Rover model range. The marque was announced in June 2024. Under the arrangement, vehicles would be produced at the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture's existing plant in Changshu, China. Chery was assigned responsibility for engineering and product development, while Jaguar Land Rover was to provide design input. The companies described Freelander as a distinct brand positioned outside the established Chery and Jaguar Land Rover portfolios. The initial product plan concentrated on new-energy vehicles using Chery's electric-vehicle architecture, with China as the first intended market and possible exports under consideration. In 2025, the partners stated that three new vehicles were planned. The first was identified as a large six-seat hybrid SUV developed under the E0V internal codename. The program had previously been associated with Chery's Exeed marque before being reassigned to Freelander. This transfer helped define Freelander as a dedicated vehicle brand rather than a single model or a conventional extension of an existing Chery product series. The first public concept appeared on 31 March 2026, when the Freelander Concept 97 was unveiled alongside the marque. The number 97 refers to the original Land Rover Freelander's launch year and connects the new name to its historical source while signaling a new product direction. The concept previewed the Freelander 8, a full-size SUV planned with multiple electrified powertrains. On 25 April 2026, the partners presented a production-intent Freelander 8 in hybrid form. The model is listed as being planned for plug-in hybrid, battery-electric, and extended-range electric versions. It is the first identified production model for the marque and establishes the brand's initial focus on large SUVs and electrification. The available public information does not establish a final retail launch timetable, pricing structure, dealer network, detailed technical specifications, executive roster, or confirmed export countries. Freelander therefore remains an early-stage automotive brand whose identity is defined principally by its JLR design connection, Chery engineering and manufacturing resources, China-first market strategy, and planned range of electrified SUVs.

• 2026

  Freelander Concept 97 unveiled

  [1]Freelanderen.wikipedia.org

  The concept was shown on 31 March 2026 as a preview of the Freelander 8 and as a design introduction for the new marque.

• 2026

  Freelander 8 production-intent version presented

  [1]Freelanderen.wikipedia.org

  A hybrid production-intent version of the full-size Freelander 8 was unveiled on 25 April 2026.

• 2025

  Three-vehicle plan disclosed

  [1]Freelanderen.wikipedia.org

  The partners announced plans for three Freelander vehicles and identified a large six-seat hybrid SUV, internally known as E0V, as the first planned model.

• 2024

  Freelander marque announced

  [1]Freelanderen.wikipedia.org

  Jaguar Land Rover and Chery announced Freelander as a separate vehicle marque for new electrified cars, with initial production planned in China.

A China-focused, design-led electrified SUV marque created through the Jaguar Land Rover–Chery partnership, with potential expansion into international markets.

• Full-size SUV · 2026

  Freelander 8

  The Freelander 8 is the marque's first identified production-intent vehicle. It is a full-size SUV developed for an electrified range, with planned plug-in hybrid, battery-electric, and extended-range electric configurations. A hybrid production-intent vehicle was presented in April 2026. Publicly available information identifies the model's broad format and powertrain strategy but does not specify final dimensions, output, battery capacity, seating configuration, price, or retail launch details.

• SUV concept · 2026

  Freelander Concept 97

  Freelander Concept 97 is a design and product preview unveiled on 31 March 2026. It previews the Freelander 8 and uses the number 97 to refer to the original Land Rover Freelander's 1997 launch. The concept introduced the visual direction of the new marque but is not identified as a separate production model.

• 2025

  Official website mistakenly uses NIO ES8 rendering, sparking plagiarism dispute; barred from "electric Land Rover" promotion

  The FREELANDER Shenxingzhe new energy brand launched by Chery Jaguar Land Rover once used on its official website renderings and data identical to the NIO ES8 body, was accused by netizens of plagiarism, and later urgently replaced them; under licensing terms the brand cannot promote itself as "electric Land Rover" or "Land Rover Freelander," prompting questions that little remains besides the "Land Rover" name. Materials were replaced.

  Source

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• 2026

  Introduce the Freelander 8 product directionProduct launch

  Background

  The newly announced marque required a public design and product statement before production and market rollout.

  Action taken

  Freelander unveiled Concept 97 and subsequently showed a production-intent Freelander 8 in hybrid form.

  Aftermath

  The presentations established the Freelander 8 as the brand's first identified model and indicated a broader range of hybrid, battery-electric, and extended-range electric versions.

  Source

• 2025

  Transfer the E0V SUV program to FreelanderStrategy

  Background

  A large six-seat hybrid SUV had initially been planned in connection with Chery's Exeed brand.

  Action taken

  The vehicle program was reassigned to the new Freelander marque as the first planned model in a three-vehicle range.

  Aftermath

  The decision made Freelander the intended home for a large hybrid SUV and helped establish the marque's initial product identity.

  Source

• 2024

  Create a separate electrified-vehicle marqueStrategy

  Background

  Jaguar Land Rover and Chery sought to develop a new vehicle range using the joint venture's Chinese engineering and manufacturing resources while keeping the new marque separate from both companies' established brand portfolios.

  Action taken

  They announced Freelander as a standalone marque, with Chery responsible for engineering and development and JLR responsible for vehicle design.

  Aftermath

  The brand was initially aimed at China, with possible future exports, and its product plan focused on electrified SUVs.

  Source

• Unconfirmed

  Reported2026.11.01

  FREELANDER signs Bahrain partnership with EK Kanoo Group[4]FREELANDER与EK Kanoo Group签署巴林合作协议manilatimes.net

  FREELANDER signed a partnership agreement with EK Kanoo Group in Bahrain, extending its Middle East network.

Read more

1. 1Freelanderen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official website mistakenly uses NIO ES8 rendering, sparking plagiarism dispute; barred from "electric Land Rover" promotion163.com
3. 3Official website mistakenly uses NIO ES8 rendering, sparking plagiarism dispute; barred from "electric Land Rover" promotionbitauto.com
4. 4FREELANDER与EK Kanoo Group签署巴林合作协议manilatimes.net