Freelander 8 SUV Surpasses 10,000 Orders in Just 48 Hours in China

The Freelander 8 SUV has received more than 10,000 orders in China within 48 hours, with the luxury SUV offering 818 hp, advanced technology, and a premium interior

More than 10,000 orders have been placed for the new Freelander 8 SUV in China within 48 hours of its pre-sale launch. The response comes as Chery-JLR begins testing the market for the revived Freelander name, with plans to take the brand beyond China in the future.

The Freelander 8 is the first vehicle from the new Chery-JLR Freelander brand. It was first shown in March and takes a different route from many of today's luxury SUVs. The exterior has a retro look, while the cabin is filled with newer technology and comfort features. More information about Chery and its global operations is available on the company's official website.

Pre-sales began on August 14. The starting price is 339,900 yuan, which is a little over $50,000. The SUV uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as a range extender, working with a 60.3 kWh battery and two electric motors.

Freelander 8 Has 818 Horsepower

There is no shortage of power. The system produces 610 kW, equivalent to about 818 horsepower. Chery-JLR says the SUV can reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 4.6 seconds.

The Freelander 8 also gets Huawei's Qiankun ADS 5 driver-assistance system as standard. Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8397 chip powers the system, which uses cameras, radar and LiDAR.

The cabin is designed with rear passengers in mind. The second-row captain's chairs can recline and have heating, ventilation and massage functions. There are folding tables, a refrigerator and adjustable LED lighting. A large touchscreen is also part of the interior setup.

It is a fairly long equipment list for a vehicle that starts at around $50,000.

10,000 Orders Do Not Mean 10,000 Deliveries

The Freelander 8 pre-orders figure is impressive, but it needs a little context.

Chinese automakers often take deposits before deliveries begin, and some pre-orders can be refundable. Because of that, the 10,000-plus figure should not be read as 10,000 completed vehicle sales.

Chery-JLR has not said how many of the orders are backed by non-refundable payments or how many customers have completed the purchase process.

The delivery numbers will tell a different story later.

For the moment, the company has confirmed that more than 10,000 customers have put down orders since pre-sales opened. That gives the new model a sizeable group of potential buyers before the first deliveries.

The Brand Has Overseas Plans

China will not be the only market for the new Freelander brand.

Chery-JLR is preparing an overseas version of the Freelander 8, with the Middle East expected to be the first international destination. The planned version will be left-hand drive, with the launch expected between late 2026 and early 2027.

There is still no confirmed date for a launch in Europe or other Western markets.

The international expansion will be an important next step for the Freelander name. The company will have to see whether the interest shown in China can be repeated elsewhere.

For now, the first 48 hours have produced a number that Chery-JLR will be happy with: more than 10,000 orders for the Freelander 8.

FAQs

1. How many orders has the Freelander 8 received?

The Freelander 8 received more than 10,000 orders within 48 hours of its pre-sale launch in China.

2. What is the price of the Freelander 8?

The SUV starts at 339,900 yuan, which is a little over $50,000.

3. Is the Freelander 8 a fully electric vehicle?

No. It uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine as a range extender, a 60.3 kWh battery and two electric motors.

4. How much power does the Freelander 8 produce?

The powertrain produces 610 kW, or about 818 horsepower.

5. Where will the Freelander 8 launch outside China?

The Middle East is expected to be the first overseas market. A left-hand-drive version is planned for launch between late 2026 and early 2027.