Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced its plans to revive the Freelander name for a new line of electric cars in China, with future plans to export them globally. The new models will be built on architecture provided by JLR’s joint venture partner Chery, which currently manufactures several Land Rover and Jaguar models. This partnership, which has been active for 12 years, will now be strengthened with the production of a range of bespoke electrified models in Changshu, China.
According to JLR, this collaboration will leverage the strengths of both companies, with Chery’s leading market position in China and JLR’s design expertise and heritage. The new Freelander EVs will be marketed as independent from both Chery’s existing portfolio and JLR’s luxury House of Brands.
While the initial launch will be exclusive to China, JLR has stated that they plan to export the Freelander EVs globally over time. Although specific details about planned markets and timelines have not been disclosed, this move demonstrates JLR’s commitment to the Chinese market and their anticipation of growth in the electric vehicle sector.
JLR CEO Adrian Mardell expressed his excitement about this strategic step for the company, stating that it promises a very exciting future for CJLR (Chery Jaguar Land Rover). He emphasized the potential of collaborating to develop new models for China, which is the world’s largest and fastest-growing electric vehicle market.
Although technical details have not been provided, Chinese media reports suggest that the platforms for the new Freelander EVs will be shared with Chery’s premium brand Exeed. This includes the M3X platform, which can accommodate both pure-combustion and plug-in hybrid powertrains. It is anticipated that the Freelander cars will only offer plug-in hybrid options. Chery’s ‘Super Hybrid’ PHEV drivetrain combines a petrol engine with electric motors and has a large-capacity battery with an EV-only range of up to 99 miles.
The other platform, known as E0X, is engineered for battery-electric and range-extender drivetrains, offering an 800V charging architecture and the option of front-, rear-, or four-wheel drive. JLR has yet to confirm whether the Freelander brand will remain exclusively focused on SUVs.
Chery’s range-extender (REx) technology is likely to have appealed to JLR due to the surging popularity of this format in China. Sales of REx cars, known as extended-range EVs (EREVs), grew by 157% to 400,000 units from January to September last year. This growth can be attributed to the incentives available to buyers, who can enjoy similar benefits as pure-electric vehicle owners while having the added range provided by a combustion engine.
Overall, JLR’s decision to revive the Freelander name for a new line of electric cars in China demonstrates their commitment to the global electric vehicle market and their recognition of China’s position as a key player in this industry. By leveraging their partnership with Chery and utilizing their expertise in design and heritage, JLR aims to create a compelling range of electrified models that cater to the mainstream market. The export plans for the Freelander EVs further highlight JLR’s ambition to expand its presence and capitalize on the growing demand for electric vehicles worldwide.
