PODCAST: Where new Lepas brand will fit into Chery strategy
The Lepas L8 SUV is expected to make its South African debut by early next year.
China carmaker Chery is set to introduce yet another new brand to South Africa in the form of Lepas early next year.
Lepas will follow in the footsteps of Omoda and Jaecoo, two Chery brands which share a dealership
floors but each has its own identity, and iCaur, which is set to be formally introduced locally this year.
Another brand associated with Chery, Jetour, is operated entirely independently.
Lepas makes a Pitstop
In this week's episode of The Citizen Motoring's Pitstop podcast, we take a closer look at Lepas. We attended the world premiere of its first model, the L8 SUV, in Wuhu, China last month.
In the overall Chery strategy, Lepas will take aim at Mazda in offering 'soft and sleek' cars. The core Chery models rival Toyota, Hyundai, VW and MG, Omoda and Jaecoo rival Kia and BYD and iCaur will target Jeep.
Chery says the Tiggo Pro family SUVs cater to a moderate and traditional buyer, while Lepas is aimed at younger buyers with a fashion sense.
Lepas is a combination of the words 'leopard' and 'passion.' Chery says the car's shoulder lines were sculpted on the contours of an American leopard, and its LED headlights resemble the eyes of the said leopard.
Innovative cabin options
The Lepas L8 goes into production at the end of the year. It should be rolled out locally by early next year. Smaller L6 and L4 models are set to follow the L8.
ALSO READ: New Chery-owned brand Lepas launched, coming to South Africa
The L8's configurable cabin enables the driver's seat to be almost fully reclined to create what Chery calls 'Nap Mode'.
The front seats can also be reclined, along with a pull-down screen providing what is called 'Cinema Mode'. 'Sleeping Mode' provides a double bed with the rear seats folded down, and the dashboard double acting as a headrest.
No powertrain details were divulged.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on June 11, 2025
Embattled power utility Eskom has revealed that 87% of municipalities approved for National Treasury's municipal debt relief program are failing to meet the conditions required for debt write-offs, with only 10 out of 71 municipalities remaining compliant. Good evening, IOL News family! It's Tuesday, June 3, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know. Death toll from Eastern Cape floods rises to 49, confirms Premier Mabuyane The death toll from the devastating floods in the Eastern Cape has climbed to 49, Premier Oscar Mabuyane confirmed during a media briefing on Wednesday, describing the situation as one of the most painful tragedies to hit the province in recent years. To read on, click here. Most municipalities flouting Eskom debt relief terms, warns utility Embattled power utility Eskom has revealed that 87% of municipalities approved for National Treasury's municipal debt relief program are failing to meet the conditions required for debt write-offs, with only 10 out of 71 municipalities remaining compliant. To read on, click here. Municipalities in fiscal turmoil as appropriations committee scrutinises financial mismanagement The Standing Committee on Appropriations has raised an alarm over the dire financial state of metropolitan municipalities during a recent engagement with the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in the Free State, as part of discussions surrounding the 2025 Division of Revenue Bill. To read on, click here. R32 million spent on Gauteng road upgrade 'that only exists on Google Maps' The Gauteng provincial roads and transport department is under fire after revealing spending over R32 million upgrading a stretch of Evaton Road in the Vaal, yet the area has nothing to show for it. To read on, click here. Your Netflix package just got more expensive in 2025 - this is how much you will pay South African Netflix users will once again have to dig deeper into their pockets, as the global streaming giant has increased the prices of its Mobile, Standard, and Premium plans in the country. To read on, click here. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump to discuss trade relations at G7 Summit
Mashudu Sadike | Published 5 hours ago President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Canada this weekend. The meeting will focus on key issues, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and US-SA tariffs. Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump comes after South Africa submitted a revised framework proposal to the US, aiming to expand trade and investment relations between the two countries. The US imposed tariffs on South African imports in April, with a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs of 30% against South African exports. The tariffs were part of a broader set of 'liberation day' tariffs imposed by Trump on all US trading partners. However, they were later reduced to a base rate of 10%, with the expectation that countries would use the 90 days to propose solutions addressing the US's trade deficit concerns. Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump will be his second in about three weeks, following their encounter at the White House last month. During their previous meeting, Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of the US's role in the G20 Summit and invited Trump to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg later this year. Trump agreed to attend, and Ramaphosa sees this as a positive development for bilateral relations. According to sources close to Ramaphosa, the meeting agenda will include discussions on AGOA, providing duty-free access to the US market for some African products. The agreement is set to expire in September, and South Africa is eager to see it renewed. Ramaphosa will also raise concerns about US-SA tariffs, urging the US not to increase them beyond the current 10% if negotiations on a new trade framework are not concluded by July 9. The sources further said the meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump was significant, given the current state of US-SA trade relations. 'The business sector has expressed concerns about the rise of tariffs, and Ramaphosa is under pressure to come up with answers. A successful meeting could help to ease tensions and pave the way for improved trade relations between the two countries,' the source added. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya had not responded to questions as to what to expect at the upcoming meeting. However, Ramaphosa, while speaking to journalists on Tuesday after he announced the date for the National Dialogue on various issues affecting the country, confirmed that he would be meeting Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Ramaphosa said he was invited by Carney, who holds the presidency of the G7, and would also use the opportunity to talk about the G20 Summit to be hosted by South Africa in November, where Trump will take over the presidency. 'We're going to use it as a platform to begin to consolidate what we want to achieve in November when the leaders' summit takes place here (in Johannesburg),' he said. Last month, Ramaphosa and his delegation included Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola. His goals for that meeting included resetting US-SA relations and beginning serious engagement with the US on trade and investment. He emphasised that South Africa did not 'go kowtowing' to the White House but rather took the initiative to engage with the US. 'For us, it's important for us as a nation to reposition ourselves in the very turbulent geopolitical architecture or situation that we have,' Ramaphosa said at the time. Business Unity South Africa could not respond to inquiries regarding expectations of Ramaphosa's upcoming meeting, citing the absence of its CEO, Khulekani Mathe, who is in Switzerland on a work visit. [email protected]
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
Mobile networks summoned to Parliament over data costs and connectivity gaps
SA's cellphone network providers are set to face tough questions from Communications Committee on compliance, equity, and readiness for future licence renewals Image: File South Africa's Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has summoned major mobile network operators; Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom, and Rain to appear before it on Friday. This oversight session is part of Parliament's constitutional responsibility to balance government oversight with industry evaluation, especially in relation to pressing national priorities. The committee's mandate is twofold: to oversee the MNOs' adherence to South African legislation, policy, and regulatory frameworks, and to assess how the evolving telecommunications landscape supports investment and economic growth. As the nation grapples with various socio-political challenges and rapid technological advancements, the focus will be on drawing recommendations to foster a conducive environment for progress. During the session, the MNOs are expected to brief the committee on their progress in addressing critical challenges faced by the populace. Among the issues listed for discussion are: Strategies for reducing the cost of data services Network connectivity standards, especially in rural areas Contributions to job creation and economic inclusion, particularly for historically disadvantaged groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities Measures to enhance data security and privacy Compliance with universal service obligations and incremental improvements in school connectivity Adherence to directives laid out by the Competition Commission As the licences of these MNOs are set to be renewed within the next three years, the committee is keenly aware of the crucial role these companies play in meeting the targets set forth in the National Development Plan, which aims for universal connectivity by 2030. The Chairperson of the committee, Khusela Sangoni Diko, emphasised, 'To this end, it is essential that, as a country, we seize the opportunities presented by rapid technological advancement to ensure no one is left behind.' This upcoming oversight session is not just a routine check-in; it highlights the imperative for MNOs to actively contribute to South Africa's socio-economic landscape while navigating existing legislative frameworks. The outcomes of this meeting could shape the future trajectory of the telecommunications industry in South Africa, defining how it will evolve to better serve the diverse needs of its citizens. IOL
