Chery is on a roll. The Chinese carmaker exported a staggering 669,300 vehicles in July alone, more than any other domestic manufacturer, cementing its position as China’s largest automotive exporter. The milestone is part of an even bigger story: Chery has now shipped five million vehicles beyond its home borders, the first Chinese brand ever to do so.
Do the maths, and it’s an eye-opening pace — one Chery-badged model leaves China for overseas markets every 27 seconds. The results speak for themselves: 17 million customers worldwide and annual revenues last year worth around €51.3 billion.
The brand’s footprint is already vast, with exports to more than 100 countries and regions, but Europe is clearly becoming a priority. Having entered the continent through Spain in February 2024, Chery has since added seven more countries to its network. Germany is next, and the company plans to debut there with the Omoda 5 crossover and the Jaecoo 7 SUV — both aimed squarely at the mainstream market.
It’s an aggressive expansion that mirrors the broader push by Chinese brands to go global, but Chery’s sheer volume and established presence in emerging markets give it a head start. Whether that translates into sustained success in Europe’s competitive, brand-conscious market remains to be seen — but with numbers like these, Chery has earned a spot on the watch list.
The European SUV market is about to welcome a bold new competitor. The Chery Tiggo 7, a compact family SUV from China’s leading vehicle exporter, is preparing for its debut on the continent — and it’s coming in hot. With a sharp focus on value, technology, and electrified efficiency, the Tiggo 7 aims to challenge both mainstream favorites like the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, as well as budget-oriented rivals such as the MG HS and the upcoming Dacia Bigster.
A Strategic Price Point
With a projected starting price of around €29,500 on the British market, the Tiggo 7 positions itself as a value-packed alternative to established names. This aggressive pricing could extend to EU markets, potentially shaking up the status quo in the highly competitive C-SUV segment.
Though Chery might not be a household name in Europe just yet, it’s no stranger to the global stage. The brand has been China’s top vehicle exporter for 22 consecutive years and has already gained traction across Europe through its sub-brands Omoda and Jaecoo. Now, the parent brand steps into the spotlight under its own name.
Dimensions and Drivetrains
Measuring 4.5 meters in length, the Tiggo 7 comfortably slots into the compact SUV category. Two powertrain options will be available:
A 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine producing 145 hp.
A plug-in hybrid dubbed the “Super Hybrid”, which looks set to be the star of the lineup.
The PHEV system pairs a 1.5-liter turbo engine, electric motor, and an 18.3 kWh battery, delivering an electric-only range of up to 90 km and a combined range of 1,200 km. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is achieved in 8.5 seconds, and CO₂ emissions are a mere 23 g/km — figures that should prove especially attractive to fleet and business buyers.
Charging is practical and quick: the battery can be replenished from 30 to 80% in just 20 minutes via fast charging, or even recharged on the go by the petrol engine. The driver can select from Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes to suit different conditions.
Trim Levels and Features
European buyers will have a choice between two trim levels: Aspire and Summit.
The entry-level Aspire trim already boasts a generous array of standard features, including:
Dual 12.3-inch digital displays for infotainment and instrumentation
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
LED headlights
540-degree camera system with underbody view
Sony six-speaker audio
Dual-zone climate control
Adaptive cruise control
Cooled wireless smartphone charging
Stepping up to the Summit trim enhances the premium feel with extras like:
An eight-speaker Sony system
Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Hands-free electric tailgate
Ground lighting from door mirrors
Warranty and Future Plans
The Tiggo 7 comes with a seven-year/160,000 km warranty, with unlimited mileage for the first three years, and includes roadside assistance. The hybrid battery is separately covered for eight years, ensuring peace of mind for early adopters.
Looking ahead, Chery has confirmed plans to bring a larger, seven-seat SUV — the Tiggo 8 — to Europe as well. It will share the same plug-in hybrid system as the Tiggo 7 and target rivals like the Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento. Pricing for the Tiggo 8 is yet to be announced.
In a bold move to reset its presence in the world’s largest automotive market, JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) has officially announced the revival of the Freelander name — not as a model, but as a standalone brand. Developed in close partnership with China’s Chery Automobile, the new Freelander will debut in 2026 with a plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV, initially targeting Chinese consumers but with eyes set on global expansion.
From Legacy to New Beginnings
The Freelander name carries weight. Originally introduced under the Land Rover marque in 1997, the compact SUV broke ground as the first Land Rover to use a monocoque platform and played a key role in establishing the compact premium SUV segment. Two generations were produced before the model was discontinued in 2015 and replaced by the Discovery Sport.
Now, nearly a decade later, Freelander returns — not as a Land Rover, but as a fresh brand aimed at a different customer base.
“This new Freelander will echo the original spirit of the model, but brought up to date to appeal to discerning, technologically savvy Chinese consumers,” said Qing Pan, head of JLR China, during a recent investor presentation.
Powered by Chery, Styled by JLR
The new Freelander lineup will be underpinned by Chery’s T1X platform, a modular architecture also used by Chery’s own Omoda, Jaecoo, and core Chery-branded models. This “flexible” platform will allow Chery to produce an electrified range, while JLR will take the lead on vehicle design, infusing the Freelander models with premium British styling and strong off-road character.
The first model is described as a mid-size SUV with chunky off-road styling cues paired with a coupé-like silhouette, drawing comparisons to the Porsche Macan. It will feature a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, catering to China’s rapidly evolving emissions regulations and consumer demand for electrified vehicles.
Strategic Shift in JLR’s China Operations
The Freelander reboot is a strategic play within JLR’s wider plan to revamp its China operations. The Chery-JLR joint venture will replace production of the outgoing China-built Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque, both of which are ending production this year.
Importantly, Freelander will be sold through its own Chery-run dealership network, distinct from JLR’s ‘House of Brands’ strategy, which positions Jaguar, Defender, Discovery, and Range Rover as luxury-focused entities.
This separation reflects the Freelander brand’s different market positioning — targeting mainstream, electrified SUV buyers in China, rather than high-end luxury clientele.
Potential for Global Expansion, With Caveats
While JLR confirms that the Freelander SUV will launch first in China, executives have acknowledged “potential for global expansion.” However, bringing a Chinese-built Freelander to Europe or the UK could complicate matters. It risks cannibalizing sales of upcoming JLR models based on the company’s new Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) platform — including future replacements for the Evoque and Discovery Sport.
As such, no European release has been confirmed, and the business case for launching Freelander outside of China will likely depend on demand, pricing strategy, and how well the model resonates with local buyers.
The resurrection of Freelander as a standalone brand signals a significant pivot for JLR in the electrified SUV space. Backed by Chery’s local manufacturing strength and JLR’s design pedigree, the new Freelander is poised to carve out a unique position in China’s fiercely competitive market.
While nostalgia may drive curiosity, the success of this modern Freelander will depend not on its badge, but on how well it meets the needs of today’s hybrid-hungry, tech-savvy SUV customers — in China and, potentially, around the world.
