Lepas is one of a handful of new car brands that Chery will be launching in Australia over the next twelve to eighteen months, and the L6 The small SUV now being introduced in Europe will be among the first models.
The brand – which, like Omoda Jaecoo, does not exist in China – will be launched here at the end of 2026.
The first Lepas cabs not eligible are the L6, a rival to the Hyundai Kona and Nissan Qashqai, and the L8, which is similar in size to the Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota RAV4.
These will likely be launched first, with the L4 – an even smaller SUV – expected to follow in 2027.
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Chery also previously confirmed that it plans to offer L1, L2 and L3 models under the Lepas brand, as well as a large L9. The range could also be expanded with a sedan.
It is also unclear at this stage which powertrains each Lepas model will be offered in Australia, although a mix of petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles are currently available across the Chery and Omoda Jaecoo brands.
As confirmed in Europe ahead of its public debut during Milan Design Week from April 20 to 26, the L6 will be offered with a pure electric powertrain with a 67 kWh battery and a range of 435 km on the WLTC cycle, and a 1.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system – not a plug-in hybrid powertrain – with a total range of 1,127 km.
Lepas says the L6 will be built on New Energy Vehicle’s “all-new modular platform.”
Further specifications, including dimensions, are yet to be revealed, as is the interior of the L6. The L6 will go on sale in the UK in the fourth quarter (October to December) of 2026.
Lepas is a genus of barnacles, but Chery says the name is a portmanteau of “leopard” and “passion.” The feline connection can be seen in the LED headlights, which are designed to resemble a leopard’s eye.
The brand will offer a “new generation of bold, design-focused SUVs that combine passion and functionality,” along with bold exterior colors.
Chery has not yet confirmed what Lepas’ retail strategy will be in Australia and whether the brand will be sold alongside existing Chery and Omoda Jaecoo brands.
But with a range of crossover SUVs, Lepas’ offering will overlap heavily with existing brands Chery and Omoda Jaecoo in Australia, both of which offer small SUVs (Jaecoo J5, Chery C5/E5 and Tiggo 4) and mid-size SUVs (Jaecoo J7, Chery Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8).
The launch of Lepas is part of a stunning global strategy by the Chery Group, which last year set a new annual export record with 1,344,020 units – an increase of 17.4 percent. Exports accounted for 48 percent of total turnover.
Not only is Lepas launching here this year, but three other Chery Group brands will launch here between now and the end of 2027.
iCaur, a brand specialized in boxy electrified SUVs, is expected in 2027, while Freelander, another brand that will offer a boxy electrified SUV in mid-late 2027.
Jetour, another Chery brand, has also confirmed its intention to launch in the Australian market. It’s clear that this brand will operate separately from the rest of the Chery menagerie.
Unless Chery decides to create another export brand, such as Omoda Jaecoo or Lepas, Australia is left with a dwindling number of potential brand entries.
Soueast, which was acquired by Chery in 2024, has confirmed it is looking at right-hand drive markets.
There is also Luxeed, a premium brand developed in collaboration with electronics giant Huawei, and Exeed, one of Chery’s oldest brands, which specializes in premium SUVs and exports vehicles to markets such as the Middle East. One Exeed model, the RX, is already sold here as the Omoda 9.
The Rely light commercial vehicle brand has also been revived by Chery, although this is unlikely for Australia as the Chinese carmaker has already confirmed it will sell the upcoming KP31 ute under the namesake brand.
MORE: Chery is launching its third car brand in Australia in four years
