More than 5,000 Chinese buyers placed firm orders for the Freelander 8 during its first 12 hours on sale, according to the brand.
Freelander announced the milestone on its official Chinese social-media channel after the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) was launched on Sept 3.
The result follows substantial pre-launch interest. Freelander said orders had reached 16,725 by Sept 2, while the 1,000-unit First Edition had already sold out.
The Freelander 8 is the debut production model of the newly established Freelander marque under the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture.
It is offered in five- and six-seat versions, with official prices ranging from 309,900 yuan to 399,900 yuan (RM186,700 to RM241,000).
Limited-time launch prices run from 289,900 yuan to 379,900 yuan (RM174,700 to RM228,900), with the offer available until Sept 30.
All variants use an 800V extended-range platform with dual-motor all-wheel drive. Combined output is 610kW and 813Nm, while the claimed 0-100kph time is 4.6 seconds.
A 60.3kWh CATL battery provides up to 310km of electric-only range under the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).
Freelander said the battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in as little as 12 minutes.
Other equipment includes Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 driver assistance, air suspension, rear-wheel steering and the brand’s i-ATS intelligent all-terrain system.
The Freelander programme stems from an agreement between JLR and Chery to revive the former Land Rover model name as a standalone electrified-vehicle brand.
When the collaboration was announced in 2024, JLR said Freelander vehicles would initially be sold in China before expanding to overseas markets.
That gives the early order response wider significance, although Freelander has yet to detail a right-hand-drive rollout or confirm Malaysia as a future market.
