Chery and JLR Begin Production of the Six-Seat Freelander 8
cheryjaguarlandrover.com
The first production Freelander 8 has rolled off the line at Chery Jaguar Land Rover's Changshu plant, with China pre-orders opening August 10.
The first production Freelander 8 rolled off the line at Chery Jaguar Land Rover on July 30, 2026. For the Changshu plant, it’s more than the launch of another SUV: the new brand is meant to keep the factory running after production of older petrol-powered JLR models was halted. Still, starting production doesn’t automatically bring buyers back.
Pre-orders in China open on August 10. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, even though the car has already been shipped to dealerships and unveiled at events in 30 cities. The price will ultimately decide whether the familiar British name can compete with Li Auto, Aito and other major Chinese EREV makers.
The Freelander 8 measures 5,118 mm in length with a 3,040 mm wheelbase. The cabin seats six in a 2+2+2 layout. A 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine works purely as a generator, while a 60.331 kWh battery delivers up to 221 km of electric-only range on the Chinese CLTC cycle.
The model rides on an 800-volt architecture with charging up to 350 kW, air suspension, and three electronic or mechanical locking differentials. Standard kit also includes Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 driver assistance and a 46.3-inch panoramic display.
32CARS.RU previously reported on why the new Freelander is a standalone Chinese-British brand rather than a direct successor to the old compact Land Rover model.
The Changshu plant has capacity for 200,000 vehicles a year, while sales of locally-built JLR models in China had dropped to roughly 26,000 units by 2025. That’s why August 10 matters more than the roll-off ceremony: it’s when the production program first meets real demand—and a price that’s still unknown.
