Chery Automobile is expanding its UK presence with a fourth brand, Lepas, set to launch in late summer 2026 with the L8 plug-in hybrid SUV. The move adds another layer to the Chinese manufacturer’s ambitious strategy for the British market, joining existing brands Jaecoo, Omoda, and the core Chery line-up.
The Lepas L8, confirmed as the brand’s debut model, shares its underpinnings with the Jaecoo 7, utilizing the T1X platform common to all four Chery-affiliated brands. This modular platform allows for a degree of commonality in powertrain and interior design, streamlining production and development. Lepas’s name is a portmanteau of “leopard,” “leap,” and “passion,” according to the company.
While detailed specifications for the UK-market L8 are yet to be released, it is anticipated to feature a powertrain similar to the version available in Indonesia. This configuration combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and an 18.3 kWh battery pack, delivering a total output of 204 bhp and an electric-only range of up to 56 miles. This range is intended to cover typical daily commutes and local journeys without relying on the combustion engine.
The interior of the L8 is expected to echo the design language found in the Jaecoo 7 and Omoda 9, featuring a large portrait-oriented central touchscreen and a smaller, letterbox-shaped display for the driver. Lepas is positioning itself as a brand focused on “authenticity, intelligent design, and a bold, elevated everyday experience.”
Chery established Lepas in April 2025 as a division of Chery International, specifically for export markets, excluding China, the US, and Canada. The L8 began production on April 22, 2025. The company aims to sell 500,000 units globally within three years of launch, targeting 27 countries by the end of 2025 and expanding to 45 countries by 2027.
Further details regarding pricing, technology features, dealership network plans, and potential future models, including the L4 and L6 SUVs, are expected to be announced later in 2026. Lepas has stated its commitment to a long-term presence in the UK market.
