Chery Unveils First Lepas L8 Crossover: Aims for 500,000 Cars a Year

The Chinese automotive giant Chery has taken an important step in the development of its new brand Lepas, by unveiling its first crossover, the L8. The company plans to produce up to half a million cars a year by 2027, actively expanding its presence in the global market.

In just a few weeks since its presentation at the Shanghai Auto Show, Lepas has managed to forge agreements with 32 international partners, with negotiations underway with 67 more dealers. The brand plans to create a global network of 1200 dealerships, indicating Chery's serious ambitions in the global market.

Lepas Brand: Flagship Crossover L8 and Ambitious Plans

Lepas positions itself as a brand combining advanced technology and elegant design. Its philosophy — Elegant Mobility — implies a harmonious blend of intelligent solutions, environmental sustainability, and emotional interaction with the car. As noted by Chery International president Zhang Guibin, Lepas focuses on "green" technologies, including electric vehicles and hybrids, as well as innovations in smart transportation.

"For more than 20 consecutive years, the Chery Group has held the leading position in overseas market development among Chinese automotive companies. The group's annual revenue exceeds 480 billion yuan, and its customer base includes over 16.3 million users worldwide. In the group's business strategy, Lepas is the flagship brand, aimed at increasing recognition, promoting values, and expanding the group's presence in international markets," commented Chery.

The first new release will be the L8 crossover, which will go on sale this year. It will be available in three variants: classic petrol, hybrid (PHEV), and fully electric (BEV). The petrol and hybrid versions will have a 2.0-liter turbo engine, while the PHEV modification can travel over 1300 km on a single tank with a consumption of only 4.5 l/100 km.

The electric version L8 BEV promises a range of over 700 km and support for ultra-fast charging — in just 5 minutes, it can restore 150 km of range. Over the next three years, Lepas plans to expand its lineup to five models, including the compact L4 crossover and the urban L6, targeted at city dwellers.

Judging by the pace of development, Lepas intends to secure its place among the leading players in the automotive market. It remains to be seen how successful this ambitious project will be.