JLR, Chery to produce Freelander-branded EVs

Jaguar Land Rover is to produce electric vehicles in China based on its Chinese partner Chery's platform, said the British premium carmaker on Wednesday.

The models, which will be manufactured at the two companies' joint venture CJLR, will bear the Freelander marque.

The brand was a Land Rover vehicle which was successfully produced between 1997 and 2015. It was succeeded by the Discovery Sport in 2016.

JLR said the Freelander-branded EVs will be first sold in China but will be exported into overseas markets over time.

The move, built on the two companies' 12-year relationship, will strengthen the joint venture's "product offer for the next era of electrification in China", said the British carmaker in a statement.

The companies added that the Freelander portfolio represents complementary growth, which is independent from both Chery's existing portfolio and JLR's modern luxury House of Brands.

Adrian Mardell, JLR's chief executive officer, said: "We believe that working together to develop new models of collaboration for the world's largest and fastest-growing electric vehicle market, combined with the appeal of the Freelander brand, promises a very exciting future for CJLR."

China is the world's largest market for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, with local Chinese companies seizing the lion's share, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Statistics from the CAAM show that 3.9 million such vehicles were sold in the first five months this year in the country, up 32.5 percent year-on-year and accounting for 33.9 percent of total vehicle deliveries in the period.