The Freelander 8 electrified SUV will arrive in Australia in 2027, with the Chery-JLR joint venture firming up its local launch plans and outlining seating options, dealer support and the management team behind the new brand.
Freelander will join Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, Lepas and iCaur in Australia udner the Chery unbrella. Another Chery brand, Jetour, is set to be sold separately in Australia.
Measuring more than 5.1 metres long, the Chinese-built SUV will lead Freelander’s Australian introduction, targeting buyers in the premium large SUV market.
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The latest announcement confirms five- and six-seat configurations for the Freelander 8, although Australian specifications, pricing and a more precise launch date remain undisclosed.
Australia and New Zealand have been identified as priority right-hand-drive markets, with both scheduled to launch Freelander next year.
The announcement follows confirmation in May that Freelander would come to Australia with an independent dealer network. At that stage, no firm local launch timing had been provided.
Freelander Australia and New Zealand will be headed by Kym Mellow, whose previous automotive industry roles include positions with Inchcape Australasia and Mazda Australia.
His responsibilities cover the brand’s establishment, product planning, sales, marketing, aftersales and dealer network development. Recruitment for other senior leadership positions is underway.
Freelander says it will work with established local dealerships, with sales and service coverage planned for metropolitan and selected regional areas.
Dealer appointments will be announced before launch, with the company promising trained sales and service staff, parts support and dedicated showroom facilities.
The new operation revives a name previously used by Land Rover, but Freelander is now a standalone brand produced by Chery Jaguar Land Rover, the Chinese companies’ 50:50 joint venture.
JLR licensed the Freelander name to the joint venture in June 2024. JLR leads design, while Chery contributes electrified powertrain technology, engineering and supply-chain resources.
Production takes place at the joint venture’s Changshu factory in Jiangsu Province, which has also built the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque.
The first Freelander 8 rolled off the production line on July 30, 2026.
Earlier disclosures outlined battery-electric and range-extender powertrains for the Freelander range, but the Australian announcement does not identify which versions will be sold here.
A range-extender uses a combustion engine to generate electricity for an electrically driven vehicle, providing additional driving range beyond that available from its rechargeable battery.
Previously revealed Freelander 8 technology includes an 800-volt electrical architecture, CATL battery technology, height-adjustable dual-chamber air suspension and nine driving modes.
Cabin details disclosed in July included a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and a 47.2-inch panoramic display beneath the windscreen, along with physical controls and dual wireless phone chargers. Australian availability of that equipment remains to be confirmed.
The SUV’s size and positioning put it in contention for buyers considering premium family SUVs, while its intended all-terrain capability also brings electrified off-roaders such as the Denza B5 into the frame. Pricing and local powertrain choices will determine its closest competitors.
Freelander’s Australian plans form part of a broader international expansion following its Chinese launch on September 3. The United Arab Emirates is its first overseas market, with an international brand launch held in Abu Dhabi on September 29.
According to Freelander, the 8 attracted more than 10,000 pre-orders in China within 48 hours of orders opening.
The brand plans to introduce six models over the next five years, although it has not detailed which subsequent vehicles will come to Australia.
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