Chinese brands are quickly being known for creating offshoot brands. Chery is one of them and its new sub-brand is called Lepas (which will give Malay language speakers a chuckle or two).
Chery today celebrated the first production-line completion of its inaugural model under the Lepas marque, the L8, marking a key step in its global premium strategy.
The assembly took place at Chery’s Wuhu facility, where executive vice-president Zhu Shaodong and chief technology officer Cao Bin formally unveiled the vehicle to company leaders, media and international partners.
Lepas embodies nearly 30 years of Chery’s automotive expertise and seeks to blend innovative technology with “masterful drive” dynamics.
The brand name merges “leap” and “passion” to signal both dynamism and elegance, while its “Leopard Aesthetics” design language aims to deliver striking visual appeal.
Supported by eight global R&D centres, Lepas positions itself as a lifestyle statement rather than a purely functional offering.
The L8 is pitched as a mainstream premium SUV, featuring refined exterior lines, a tech-forward cabin and comprehensive safety apparatus.
The Lepas series is built on an advanced electrification platform, offering a range of family-friendly SUVs. It has the QPower architecture, supporting multiple energy sources, including traditional internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and pure electric options.
Chery intends to expand Lepas into additional segments, targeting family-minded buyers and style-conscious motorists alike.
Lepas L8 is slated for its global debut at the 2025 Chery Business Conference later in April under the theme “Colourful Life, Masterful Drive.”
This launch dovetails with broader industry trends of automotive intelligence and consumer upgrades, while showcasing Chery’s aspiration to elevate its upmarket credentials.
