Freelander is returning to the European market as an independent automotive brand backed by British manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover and Chinese automaker Chery, auto.cz reported. Company representatives released a global expansion plan that explicitly includes Germany, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Spain, while the Czech Republic remains absent from the initial list.
Phased global sales expansion plans
Sales outside of China will begin in the Middle East and North Africa. The brand has already finalized agreements with local distributors in the United Arab Emirates and is currently accepting registrations from interested buyers. The second expansion phase targets Australia and New Zealand, followed by continental Europe in the third phase, and the United Kingdom and Ireland thereafter. Freelander has not yet announced specific launch dates, European vehicle specifications, or the structure of its sales network.
Manufacturing and technological collaboration
The Freelander name originally denoted a compact SUV produced by Land Rover in two generations between 1996 and 2014. In 2024, Jaguar Land Rover announced it would provide the name to a joint venture with Chery, creating a standalone brand operating outside the current JLR portfolio. Jaguar Land Rover retains ownership of the brand and oversees vehicle design through an independent center, while Chery supplies the technology, manufacturing facilities, and supply chain. Production takes place at the joint venture’s plant in Changshu, China.
Technical specifications and export variants
The first model from the brand, the Freelander 8, launched on the Chinese market in September. The Chinese-market version is an extended-range electric vehicle measuring 5,118 millimeters in length, 2,050 millimeters in width, and 3,040 millimeters in wheelbase, with configurations for five or six occupants. Dual electric motors generate a combined 610 kilowatts, paired with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine functioning as an onboard generator. A 60.3-kWh battery delivers up to 310 kilometers of electric range under the CLTC testing cycle, with an 800-volt electrical architecture enabling a 20 to 80 percent charge in 12 minutes.
Export models destined for regions like the Middle East utilize a different powertrain configuration. This variant features a plug-in hybrid system combining a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing 460 kW and 662 Nm of torque. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds using a 34.12-kWh LFP battery that provides an electric range of 110 kilometers and a total combined range of 886 kilometers. This export version includes all-wheel drive, dual-chamber air suspension with adaptive dampers, and a maximum ground clearance of 266 millimeters, though the manufacturer notes these specifications apply specifically to the Middle East release.
Pricing and market positioning
In China, the Freelander 8 starts at an official list price of 309,900 yuan, which drops to 289,900 yuan after local subsidies. Six-seat configurations command an additional 10,000 yuan over the five-seat layout in equivalent trim levels. European pricing and official release timelines remain unannounced.
Freelander brand questions answered
Which companies own and manufacture the new Freelander brand?
Jaguar Land Rover owns the brand and leads design efforts, while Chinese automaker Chery provides the technology, supply chain, and manufacturing operations. Production is based at the joint venture’s factory in Changshu, China.
What are the power figures for the export version of the Freelander 8?
The plug-in hybrid export model built for the Middle East produces 460 kW and 662 Nm of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and dual electric motors. It achieves a zero-to-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.8 seconds.
When will Freelander vehicles become available in European countries?
Freelander has confirmed that continental European countries including Germany, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Spain are included in its third expansion phase, preceded by the Middle East, North Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Specific launch dates have not been published.
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