New Chery-owned brand Lepas launched, coming to South Africa
Lepas range will initially consist of three combustion engine SUVs, two sedans and an entry-level EV.
Lepas L6 will take-up station as the intermediate model between the L4 and L8. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe
Yet another Chinese range of SUVs is heading for South Africa, this time under the banner of Chery's new international brand called Lepas.
Expected products
The first model to roll off the assembly line, the Lepas L8, was revealed in Wuhu, China, on Thursday (25 April).
It will go into production towards the end of this year, with two smaller models, the L6 and L4, to follow.
In the pipeline after that is an all-electric L2 and two sedans.
Separate from Chery
The Lepas brand has been confirmed for South Africa, but the L8 is not expected to arrive before early next year.
NOW READ: Chery Himla revealed as marque's long awaited first bakkie
Chery plans to have around 30 dealerships up and running before then. They will function as independent entities like Chery's other sub-brands, Omoda & Jaecoo, and Jetour.
Not for China
Lepas will only be offered in Chery's international markets, not China. Chery believes there is a gap in these markets for a more upmarket and trendier styled SUV.
L4 will, for the moment, be the entry-level combustion engine Lepas model. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe
According to the manufacturer, the Chery Tiggo Pro family SUVs cater to a moderate and traditional buyer, while Lepas is aimed at younger buyers with a fashion sense.
The name Lepas is a combination of the words 'leopard' and 'passion.' According to Chery, its shoulder lines were sculpted on the contours of an American leopard, and its LED headlights resemble the eyes of the big cat. Chinese porcelain inspired the curves on the doors and door handles.
Select details
The Lepas L8 features a striking yet simplistic front grille design, which is said to resemble luxury goods such as gemstones. The standout feature at the rear is a thin light bar connecting the taillights.
The L8 is 4 688 mm long, 1 860 mm wide and 1 695 mm tall, which is very much on par with the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro. The latter is 32 mm longer, 15 mm higher and features a similar width.
Staying true to the Lepas slogan of 'Colourful Life, Masterful Drive,' the L8 will be offered in three launch colours. Norwegian Forest Green, Canada Maple Yellow, and Scotch Grass Green are reserved for the exterior but will also be used on the seats, dash, and door panels.
The cabin features a 13.2-inch portrait-style infotainment system with multimodal voice control. It also has a rotary gear shifter and features such as diamond-shaped texture on the seats, a 'pebble suspended speaker' and 'rhythmic ripples' finishing.
Chery claims that the 970 mm rear legroom in the Lepas L8 is more than the BMW X1, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offer. The rear recline angle of 32 degrees also gives it the edge over most others in the segment.
An innovative configurable cabin enables the driver's seat to be almost fully reclined to provide 'Nap Mode'.
Both front seats can be reclined with a pull-down screen providing what is called 'Cinema Mode', while 'Sleeping Mode' provides a double bed with the rear seats folded down and the dashboard double acting as a headrest.
Up front
No powertrain details were divulged during the launch, but expect that the range of Lepas SUVs will be offered with internal combustion engines, as plug-in hybrids (PHEV), or fully electric vehicles.
The combustion engine L8 is likely to be powered by the 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine used in other Chery products.
The PHEV version should use the Chery Super Hybrid powertrain, which was announced for various Chery products at the Shanghai Auto Show this week. It combines the familiar 1.5-litre turbo engine with an electric motor and battery pack.
NOW READ: South Africa-bound Omoda C7 PHEV details emerge abroad
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
11 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Faced with US tariffs China must reform and liberalise its economy
The tariffs are starting to bite. Data out this week showed that China's exports to the United States plunged by 34.4% last month, the sharpest drop since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Bloomberg. This decline occurred despite the temporary trade war 'truce' announced by US President Donald Trump in May. This precipitous drop is undoubtedly a blow to China's critical export machine. Yet, it underscores a broader and more important economic question: Can China pivot its massive economy away from export-led growth towards a more sustainable model predicated on higher domestic consumption? Underlying the data is the strength of the Chinese export machine. Remarkably, despite the collapse in exports to the US, China's total exports rose nearly 5%. But the bigger challenge lies in transforming the economic model that has driven China's breakneck economic expansion for decades. The call for China to rebalance its economy away from selling to consumers in other countries is not new. Economists have long warned that its reliance on domestic savings funding investment into manufacturing foreign exports is unsustainable. The Trumpian trade war has merely sped up the urgency of its need to make this transition across the economic Rubicon. Scepticism Scepticism is rife as to whether the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has the means, or political will, to foster such a shift to a consumption-led economy. It would not be without its political and social risks. History has shown that when people become better off, and economically freer, they tend to demand equivalent political freedoms. Yet, the question might not be whether the CCP wants or is able to allow such a shift. Rather, can it afford not to? Surely, it understands that hoping that the status quo can continue is a road to nigh certain economic, social and political ruin. China must, in a sense, evolve or die. And the signs are that it is indeed taking this plunge. First, the narrative of weak domestic consumption is misleading. Consumer spending already makes up about 40% of China's GDP. While this is well below the global average of about 60%, the share scale of China's consumer market — already second only to the US — makes clear the upside potential if it is able to lift consumption to a level commensurate with an economy of its nature. Replacing lost US export revenue with domestic demand then may not be as difficult as it seems. Thanks to high production and relatively low prices, consumer goods are widely affordable, and China is not as susceptible to difficult and fragile supply chains as, for example, the US. Moreover, young Chinese Gen Z and millennial consumers are prone to spend on travel, lifestyle and technology. 'The bulk of consumer credit goes to people under 35,' notes Keyu Jin of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in the Financial Times. 'With one click on Alibaba, you can borrow to buy a lipstick.' Enormous potential Looking ahead, the potential for consumption growth is enormous. Boston Consulting Group estimates that by 2030, more than 500 million Chinese will belong to the middle and upper classes. That is more than the entire population of the US. Even a modest rise in their spending habits could drive a major increase in domestic demand, and indeed affect other emerging markets that sell to China — such as South Africa. Second is the shifting dynamics of the real estate market. China's zero-Covid-19 pandemic approach and its real estate crash did, undoubtedly, scare households. Consumer confidence remains significantly below pre-2020 levels, and precautionary savings are elevated. Yet, there are nascent signs of a turnaround. Research done by Absolute Strategy Research shows that households have now largely filled the hole in their balance sheets caused by the tanking property market, allowing them more room to spend. Home prices are stabilising, and consumer sentiment is slowly recovering. A recent Deutsche Bank survey showed 52% of respondents were ready to increase discretionary spending, the highest in a year. Still, converting this momentum into long-term consumption growth will require deeper structural changes. Confidence must be boosted and precautionary 'rainy day' savings, which are still so prized by a consumer market enduring post-Covid PTSD — should be depleted. But Beijing is listening to the economists on this. Xi Jinping's economic doctrine — emphasising 'dual circulation' and 'common prosperity' — has begun to prioritise domestic demand. Third, urbanisation is a critical factor. China's hukou system — which restricts rural migrants' access to benefits in urban areas thereby keeping a lid on the numbers of people that can move into the cities — puts a ceiling on consumption spending. But the August 2024 five-year reforms to ease this system could unleash enormous spending potential. Studies show that fully urbanised migrants increase their per capita consumption by as much as 60%. While this is not without its political risks for the CCP — studies also show that urban residents are more likely to prioritise liberal values such as free speech and democracy — it is a necessity for faster growth. Social safety net Finally, China's social safety net also needs strengthening. Beijing spends significantly less on social transfers than capitalist economies, and it collects very little income tax relative to GDP. This underdeveloped welfare system encourages excess savings and lower spending. But once again, despite some political resistance, reforms are being made. While Xi has spoken against 'welfarism' that 'encourages laziness', recent reforms include childcare subsidies, public medical insurance, old age benefits, employment support, and consumption incentives. While not enough, this is an impressive start, and a tacit acknowledgement that more needs to be done to shift the economy to be 'consumption led'. Long-term growth hinges on sustained political and economic reforms. Redirecting household savings into real economy spending by further welfare and tax reforms would strengthen the domestic market and help China make that shift into a more mature consumer economy. As the economic and geopolitical limits of the country's existing growth strategy becomes clearer, China must leverage its centralised policy apparatus to turbocharge consumer spending. 'Beijing has time and again demonstrated the ability to do the unexpected to reach its longer-term goals,' says David Goodman, director of the China Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, quoted in the Financial Times. China's consumers have struggled in recent years. But there is enormous spending power yet to be unlocked, and Beijing holds the key. Whether Beijing has both the means and the will to engineer this shift remains uncertain. But for the global economy — and especially for resource exporting emerging markets like South Africa that rely heavily on Chinese demand — it is a question of enormous consequence. China is still South Africa's largest single export market by far. Unlike Trump, who revels in signs of Chinese weakness, the rest of the world should hope China's economy is more resilient than it appears. DM
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
Hopes rise as US and China continue trade talks
Tensions between the US and China heightened when Trump took office in January, with both countries engaging in a tariffs war. US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng shake hands as they pose for a photo during trade discussions at the Lancaster House in London on June 9, 2025. Picture: US Treasury Department/AFP The United States and China began a second day of trade talks on Tuesday, seeking to shore up a shaky tariff truce in a bitter row deepened by export curbs. The gathering of key officials from the world's two biggest economies began Monday in London, after an earlier round of talks in Geneva last month. Stock markets wavered as investors hoped the talks will bring some much-needed calm on trading floors and ease tensions between the economic superpowers. 'A big, strong handshake' A US Treasury spokesman told AFP on Tuesday the 'talks resumed earlier this' morning. One of US President Donald Trump's top advisers said he expected 'a big, strong handshake' at the end of the talks in the historic Lancaster House, operated by the UK foreign ministry. Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday: 'We are doing well with China. China's not easy. 'I'm only getting good reports.' The agenda The agenda is expected to be dominated by exports of rare earth minerals used in a wide range of things including smartphones, electric vehicle batteries and green technology. 'In Geneva, we had agreed to lower tariffs on them, and they had agreed to release the magnets and rare earths that we need throughout the economy,' Trump's top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, told CNBC on Monday. ALSO READ: Trump says deal with Xi 'extremely hard' as steel tariffs double But even though Beijing was releasing some supplies, 'it was going a lot slower than some companies believed was optimal', he added. Still, he said he expected 'a big, strong handshake' at the end of the talks. 'Our expectation is that after the handshake, any export controls from the US will be eased, and the rare earths will be released in volume,' Hassett added. He also said the Trump administration might be willing to ease some recent curbs on tech exports. Tensions Tensions between Washington and Beijing have heightened since Trump took office in January, with both countries engaging in a tariffs war hiking duties on each other's exports to three figures — an effective trade embargo. The Geneva pact to cool tensions temporarily brought new US tariffs on Chinese goods down from 145 percent to 30 percent, and Chinese countermeasures from 125 percent to 10 percent. But Trump recently said China had 'totally violated' the deal. 'Investors are willing to grab on to any positive trade headline right now, as this is keeping hopes of a rally alive,' said Kathleen Brooks, research director at trading group XTB. ALSO READ: Weekly economic wrap: The bleak picture of SA's GDP Concessions? Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at the Swissquote Bank, said that although there had been 'no breakthrough' it seemed 'the first day of the second round of negotiations reportedly went relatively well'. 'Rumours are circulating that the US may be willing to make concessions on tech exports in exchange for China easing restrictions on rare earth metal exports,' she said. Rare earth shipments from China to the US have slowed since the tariff war was triggered by Trump's so-called 'Liberation Day' announcements, according to Brooks. The US leader slapped sweeping levies of 10 percent on friend and foe alike, and threatened steeper rates on dozens of economies. The tariffs have already had a sharp effect, with official figures from Beijing showing Chinese exports to the United States in May plunged by 12.7 percent. China is also in talks with other trading partners — including Japan and South Korea — to try to build a united front to counter Trump's tariffs. China-South Korea relations Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday urged South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung to work with Beijing to uphold free trade to ensure 'the stability and smooth functioning of global and regional industrial and supply chains.' 'A healthy, stable, and continuously deepening China–South Korea relationship aligns with the trend of the times,' Xi said in a phone call, according to the Xinhua news agency. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is heading the team in London, which included Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and China International Trade Representative Li Chenggang. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are leading the US delegation. NOW READ: Ayo fined over breach of listing rules
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
Chery relaunches Himla bakkie under revived name for China
Rebadging of the Himla under the revived Rely marque will only be applicable in China as export markets will reportedly get a completely different model in 2026. Chery has revived the Rely name in China, with the first new model being the Himla bakkie, now called the Rely R08. Image: Unveiled as the much vaunted Himla at the Shanghai International Auto Show two months ago, Chery's first-ever bakkie as unofficially been outed in China, albeit under a marque not known outside of the People's Republic. Who is Rely? One of the Wuhu-based firm's original sub-brands, the Himla will be marketed as the R08 under the Rely marque, which between 2009 and 2013, served as a mostly commercial vehicle focused division selling copied version of the current Toyota HiAce as the Rely H-Series. ALSO READ: Chery gearing up to take South African bakkie market by storm Phased-out due dwindling sales, with the H-Series eventually becoming a Chery, the revival of Rely will reportedly involve other products than only the R08, which had been expected to launch the brand's bakkie programme in export markets. KP31 and KP11 Known internally as the KP11, the R08 will, however, be sold solely in China whereas international markets will get a completely different product known as the KP31 that is currently undergoing development. Based on a unibody platform instead of the traditional body-on-frame that will underpin the KP31, the R08 derives motivation from a 2.3-litre turbodiesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Interior is dominated by a two-tone leather finish and a 15.6-inch infotainment display. Image: According to information from China's AutoHome, the setup produces 120kW/420Nm and, as evident by the images, goes to the rear or all four wheels via a part-time four-wheel-drive system with the traditional 2H, 4H and 4L settings. Debuting at a later stage will be a petrol engine option, a rumoured 2.0-litre turbo, an EV and a plug-in hybrid combined with petrol and diesel engines. Chery badging has been removed from the tailgate. Image: While no further mechanical details were divulged, notable confirmed specification items consists of a 15.6-inch infotainment system, LED headlights, a wireless smartphone charger, leather seats, a digital instrument cluster and an array of driver assistance systems adhering to Level 2 autonomous driving. KP11 and KP31 for South Africa? Still be fully detailed, the R08 will go on-sale in China within the coming months at a still to be announced price. For export markets, including South Africa, patience will be required as the KP31 is only due to arrive in 2026. Chery International President, Zhang Guibing, has however hinted that two bakkies could becoming to market after telling the media post Shanghai, 'our initial products were only built in left-hand drive, but from next year we will have them in right-hand drive. From next year, we might bring two pick-ups to South Africa'. Suggesting the availability of both the KP11 and KP31, it remains to be seen whether both or only the latter will eventually become available in 2026. NOW READ: Chery Himla revealed as marque's long awaited first bakkie
