(Yicai) Aug. 3 -- Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive, the Chinese luxury vehicle joint venture of UK carmaker Jaguar Land Rover with local peer Chery Automobile, has kicked off production of the first model under its new electric brand Freelander at its factory in Changshu.

The Freelander 8 rolled off the production line on July 30, Chery JLR announced on the same day. Pre-sales are scheduled to open Aug. 10, with deliveries to follow next month.

Chery JLR aims to launch six Freelander models worldwide within five years, targeting sales of 300,000 units a year, it noted. The Changshu plant has an annual production capacity of 200,000 units after Coventry-based JLR invested CNY3 billion (USD443.8 million) to upgrade and digitize its new energy vehicle production line.

Land Rover launched its classic four-wheel drive fuel SUV Freelander brand in 1997, noted Wen Fei, chief executive officer of the new Freelander. It sold more than 500,000 units, mostly across Europe, before being discontinued in 2015, with its overseas user base better than in China, Wen added.

JLR teamed up with Chery Auto to set up the new independent electric smart brand Freelander in 2024, focusing on developing luxury all-terrain sport utility vehicles. All Freelander models are planned to be manufactured in Changshu.

JLR's global team led the design of the electric Freelander brand, while the Chery Auto team will oversee engineering development, product sales, and services. Contemporary Amperex Technology is the battery supplier, while Huawei Technologies develops the intelligent driving systems.

Chery JLR's last fossil-fuel vehicle, the Range Rover Evoque L, rolled off the assembly line at the Changshu plant on March 31. 

Editor: Martin Kadiev