Freelander 8 Secures Over 5,000 Non-Refundable Orders Following China Debut
The revived Freelander brand, operated jointly by Chery and Jaguar Land Rover, secured upward of 5,000 locked reservations half a day after releasing its Freelander 8 extended-range SUV in China.
- 5,000+ firm deposits
- 289,900 yuan (~$42,770)
- 610 kW (818 hp)
- 20% to 80% in 12 min (6C)
What Happened
Announced on social media channels, the reservation figure reflects non-refundable customer deposits placed with locked vehicle specifications. Buyers secured reservations through a 5,000 yuan ($744) advance payment, with the brand offering introductory purchase incentives valued at up to 166,000 yuan through late September.
Entering Chinese showrooms across Pro, Max, and Max+ trim specifications in five-seat and six-seat configurations, post-incentive pricing ranges between 289,900 yuan ($42,770) and 379,900 yuan. Final pricing sits 20,000 yuan below baseline list figures and marks a 40,000-yuan reduction from preliminary pre-sale pricing disclosed in late August, while an initial production run of 1,000 First Edition units priced at 449,900 yuan sold out prior to the formal unveiling.
The 5,118 mm luxury SUV rides on an 800-volt electrical architecture supporting 6C rapid charging, replenishing its 60.3 kWh CATL pack from 20 percent to 80 percent in 12 minutes. Standard all-wheel-drive dual motors generate combined output of 610 kW (818 hp), achieving zero-to-100 km/h acceleration in 4.6 seconds alongside a 310 km electric-only rating under CLTC standards.
All variants integrate Huawei's Qiankun ADS 5 driver-assistance hardware as standard equipment. Established as an independent new energy vehicle brand in spring 2026, Freelander outlines plans to introduce six distinct models over a five-year horizon, with left-hand-drive export editions destined for Middle Eastern markets scheduled around year-end.
Why this matters
Early booking velocity indicates consumer interest in Jaguar Land Rover's strategy of pairing Chinese manufacturing architecture with electrified powertrains. It also demonstrates how heritage British branding is being repositioned as a dedicated premium new-energy vehicle marque in China.
Terms in This Story
- Firm orders
- Vehicle reservations accompanied by non-refundable financial deposits with finalized equipment specifications.
- CJLR
- Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Company Ltd, the passenger vehicle manufacturing joint venture between Chery Automobile and Jaguar Land Rover in China.
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