- Freelander 8 enters mass production before August deliveries.
- Luxury NEV lineup targets global markets with advanced technologies.
Chery Jaguar Land Rover (CJLR) announced on July 30 that the first mass-produced Freelander 8 has rolled off the production line at its Changshu manufacturing facility. Pre-sales for the new luxury new energy vehicle (NEV) are scheduled to begin on August 10, while the first customer deliveries are expected before the end of August. Following its domestic launch, the vehicle will also be exported to overseas markets, including the Middle East, marking the beginning of the brand's international expansion strategy.
Positioned as a global luxury NEV brand, Freelander is introducing the Freelander 8 as its first production model. The vehicle combines the brand's premium heritage with intelligent mobility technologies, offering advanced hardware and software as standard across the entire lineup. The strategy is aimed at delivering a high-end driving experience while supporting multiple global market requirements through flexible product configurations.
Key Technologies Featured in the Freelander 8
The inaugural model integrates several next-generation technologies designed for intelligent driving, electrification, and all-terrain capability. These features are offered as standard equipment across the model range.
- Standard Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 intelligent driving system with the world's first production application of an 896-line LiDAR.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397 automotive-grade processor paired with a 46.3-inch far-field display.
- 800 V high-voltage electrical architecture across the lineup.
- World's first Xiaoyao Super Hybrid Battery jointly developed with CATL specifically for all-terrain applications.
- Intelligent All-Terrain System (i-ATS), co-developed with Huawei Qiankun, utilizing an 896-line LiDAR and stereo cameras to recognize terrain with millimeter-level accuracy and automatically select the most suitable driving mode.
Production Capacity and Manufacturing Investments
Chery Jaguar Land Rover has invested more than CNY 3 billion in upgrading and modernizing its Changshu production facility in China. The plant now supports the coordinated operation of more than 1,100 robots, while the body shop is fully automated and key manufacturing processes are carried out without manual intervention. These investments are intended to improve production efficiency, manufacturing quality, and long-term scalability for future vehicle programs.
Freelander Manufacturing and Expansion Plans
All future Freelander models will be produced at the Changshu plant, which has a planned annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles. Over the next five years, the brand intends to launch six new models. Starting from China-spec left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles, the portfolio will expand to include right-hand drive (RHD) and EU-compliant variants for international markets. The future lineup will support multiple electrified powertrains, including range-extended electric vehicles (REEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEV).
Freelander 8 Production and Expansion Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Mass Production | First vehicle rolled off production line on July 30 |
| Pre-sales | August 10 |
| First Deliveries | By the end of August |
| Annual Production Capacity | 200,000 vehicles |
| Future Product Plan | Six new models in five years with REEV, PHEV and BEV powertrains |
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Freelander 8 be available for customers?
The Freelander 8 will begin pre-sales on August 10, with the first customer deliveries expected before the end of August. After its domestic introduction, the model will gradually expand into international markets, including the Middle East. Future versions will also be offered in left-hand drive, right-hand drive, and EU-compliant configurations as the Freelander brand broadens its global presence through multiple electrified powertrain options.
What technologies are included in the Freelander 8?
The Freelander 8 comes standard with Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 intelligent driving technology, an 896-line LiDAR, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397 automotive-grade processor, a 46.3-inch far-field display, an 800 V electrical architecture, the Xiaoyao Super Hybrid Battery co-developed with CATL, and the Intelligent All-Terrain System. Together, these technologies are designed to improve intelligent driving capability, vehicle performance, and all-terrain adaptability for global customers.
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