Chery's export-only Lepas brand plots a six-model Australian line-up by 2028

Lepas, the Chery Group marque created solely for export markets rather than China, will touch down in Australia this October with the L6, a mid-size electric crossover. A compact electric sibling, the L4, follows in December. Both run on the brand's LEX platform and share a 65kWh LFP battery and a 160kW/275Nm front motor, with the smaller L4 managing 450km of WLTP range against 440km for the L6.

Plug-in hybrid variants of the pair arrive in March and June 2027 respectively, after which the larger L8 lands in September 2027 as a PHEV pairing a turbocharged 1.5-litre four with an 18.4kWh battery for 90km of electric range and 205kW of system output; an electric L8 is due the following year. A flagship L9 large SUV joins in late 2027 as a PHEV ahead of its own EV version in 2028, while the L2 hatch — the first hatchback any Chery Group brand has offered in Australia and a would-be Toyota Corolla rival — completes the range in 2028 with hybrid and electric options.

Lepas will be "new energy-only" in Australia, selling through its own dealer network — just 14 stores at launch, targeted to grow to 50 by the end of 2027 — while still drawing on Chery's aftersales backup. Pricing remains unannounced, the brand has played down premium positioning, and Chery Motor Australia COO Lucas Harris said Lepas is chasing a smaller, more niche customer base than the volume-focused Chery brand.

Lepas takes Chery Motor Australia to three brands in October, and the local stable is set to expand further with iCaur, Freelander and Jetour all lined up for 2027 arrivals.