Main points
- Land Rover is reviving the Freelander as a standalone electric brand with six models in five years, starting in China.
- The new Freelander electric vehicles will receive technologies from Huawei, CATL and Qualcomm, including an autonomous driving system and fast charging.
Freelander to become a separate electric brand with six models / China Auto Show
Land Rover is bringing back the Freelander name, but this time as a standalone electric brand. The company plans to launch six models over five years, starting with a debut in China this year.
The former Freelander model, which was once a popular SUV in Europe, is now being transformed into a full-fledged electric line. The development of the project is taking place within the framework of a joint venture with Chery, which emphasizes the focus on the Chinese market. This is reported by Digital Trends .
How will Freelander change and why the bet on China?
China will be a key launch site – a new headquarters is already being built in Shanghai and production facilities are being upgraded for large-scale production. The first Freelander electric vehicle is due to be introduced in the second half of the year.
The plan is to move at a rapid pace – six models in five years . To this end, about 3 billion yuan will be invested in the Changshu plant to adapt production to the new line.
The company is also changing its approach to sales. Instead of a traditional dealer network, a simplified franchise model with a focus on service is being implemented. More than 60 agreements with partners have already been concluded, and by 2026 they plan to expand the network to 100 locations .
What technologies will the new electric cars receive ? The new line will actively use partner solutions. In particular, the first model will receive the Qiankun driver assistance system from Huawei and LiDAR with 896 channels, which brings the car into the segment of advanced autonomous driving systems.
CATL will be responsible for the batteries. It is expected to support 6C ultra-fast charging, which should significantly reduce charging time in real-world conditions.
According to Autoblog , the electronics will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8397 chip. This is a new processor that will debut in this series of cars.
Called Concept 97, the concept retains the SUV's recognizable boxy design but is based on the new iMax platform, which supports both fully electric and extended-range versions.
What's next for the new brand? The success of the project will depend on the first launch, which should show whether Land Rover can compete in the saturated electric vehicle market.
The company's strategy indicates a shift in focus to the Chinese electric vehicle ecosystem and local partnerships. At the same time, in the long term, the brand plans to enter the global market within the next 5–10 years.
The first release will be a key indicator – it will determine whether the updated Freelander will be able to gain a foothold among modern electric vehicles.