Latest news with #Omoda9
Top Gear
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Omoda 9 Review 2025
Get used to hearing that question. This here is a D-segment SUV from Omoda, yet another Chinese brand that's attempting to set up shop in the UK. It's already brought us the smaller, all-electric E5… and we weren't impressed. Its posher sister is Jaecoo, which landed here with the 7. We didn't love that either. Omoda belongs to Chery, which owns a fistful of brands that reportedly sell in the millions – yep, millions – worldwide each year. Omoda was only established in 2022, so its contribution to that total isn't massive. Yet. But it's got global ambitions, hence the 9's UK-specific setup delivered by its R&D base in Germany. The search for a permanent base in Blighty continues. Advertisement - Page continues below Omoda 9… sounds like a sci-fi flick released direct to video. Although joking aside, they're probably on safer ground with numbers than Ora and Haval were with the Funky Cat and Jolion Pro. And who is it for, exactly? Gen Z-ers, apparently. Think about it: mid 90s kids are now likely having families of their own, and having grown up in the digital age they're not just comfortable with technology, they actively crave it. So Omoda is going after people who aren't going to be put off by massive screens, voice control and self-parking wizardry. Sorry Boomers. Likewise that means hitting a price point that younger folk can afford, and it's here that we take issue with Omoda's positioning. At £44,990, it proudly claims to undercut the equivalent Volvo XC60 by ten grand, and Range Rover Velar by twenty. And it does. But those cars – along with the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC – trade on reputation and status. Omoda has… a big warranty. Which is like turning up to a cage fight armed with a feather duster. Being realistic, the Omoda 9 is more of a rival for stuff like the Peugeot 5008, Skoda Kodiaq and VW Tayron: all sold as plug-in hybrids – which is what the 9 is – and all priced in the low-to-mid-forties. Though none of them have a headline-grabber quite like the Omoda's. Advertisement - Page continues below What's that? Range. The 9 is fitted with a 34.46kWh battery, which allows for an almighty electric range of 93 miles. That makes it the longest-range PHEV of any car on sale right now, which is surely the line that every single dealer will open with as part of their ritual of persuasion on the forecourt. Who needs plumage when you can show off rock-bottom running costs? The battery feeds a pair of electric motors, while the other half of the powertrain is made up of a 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol engine that's good for 154bhp and 159lb ft on its own. But the hybrid system means it very rarely is, and with everything engaged we're suddenly talking 443bhp and 516lb ft. That's more like it. 0-62mph takes just under five seconds. So you can't accuse it of being slow. You can accuse it of being dull though: dynamically it's not at all engaging, and while the ride is okay at cruising speed, the slower you go the fussier it is. We'll go into more detail in the Driving section. Luckily that's about as bad as it gets for the 9. The handover between electric and combustion happens in the background without much ado, and the engine itself is pretty muted, even at full throttle. The transmission is a three-speed, but you'd never know it from the driver's seat. Supposedly Omoda's given it off-road chops too, with a wading depth of 600mm and dedicated Snow, Mud and Off-road modes. Hmm. Don't think the Defender will be worried. What kind of tech are we talking about? Self-driving and laser beams? Steady on. The interior is dominated by a 24.6in curved screen (because modernism) but noteworthy gizmos include a 360-degree camera with a 'transparent view', an automatic parking assistant, voice control, air purification, heated, ventilated and adjustable seats front and rear, a Sony sound system with headrest speakers so you can take calls privately… the list is long. The cabin isn't what you'd call luxurious, but the seats are reasonably comfy and there are no rattles or squeaks to suggest everything isn't lashed down properly. What do you make of the looks? You might disagree, but we reckon the Omoda 9's a fairly coherent effort, and no more 'out there' than, say, Kia's Sorento or Hyundai's Tucson. But there's also no mistaking the car's origin and for some people that'll be a turn-off. What's the verdict? ' At the moment Omoda means 'I don't care about driving but the kit list was huge' ' The Omoda 9 is a steady effort. A far cry from exciting, but not completely dreadful either. Which is already a step in the right direction compared to its first offering. The powertrain behaves itself, comfort levels are acceptable and there's nothing about it that'll drive you loopy. You'll spend far too much time fiddling with the screen, but Omoda's hardly alone there. Its bigger problem isn't really what its cars can or can't do, but what it stands for. And at the moment Omoda means 'I don't care about driving but the kit list was huge'. Which isn't going to make any of the premium European brands that Omoda claims to be gunning for break out in a cold sweat in the middle of the night. Add in the fact that more accessible players with established names are a match on price, it's hard to see how the Omoda 9 gains a foothold.
The Advertiser
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Chery launching yet another brand, this one at the expense of Chinese Land Rovers
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will end production of Land Rovervehicles in China to make room for a new auto brand called Freelander, springing from its joint venture with Chery. And while Freelander will start off as a China-exclusive brand, it's set to eventually go global. That'll see it vie for buyers' attention alongside Chery brands such as Jaecoo, Omoda, iCar/iCaur, Exeed, Exlantix, Jetour and Lepas. After JLR announced the Freelander brand last June, more details have come to light courtesy of a recent earnings call as well as reports from Autocar and Automotive News Europe. JLR will end production of its Jaguar XEL and XFL sedans and the E-Pace SUV at the Chery Jaguar Land Rover plant in Changshu, China in September, before production of the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport ends there towards the end of 2026. The British automaker, whose parent company is India's tata Motors, had previously announced it would build Freelander EVs alongside existing Chery Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in Changshu. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Freelander's debut model will reportedly enter production in China in late 2026 with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power, followed by battery-electric (EV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants. The PHEV could feature the Super Hybrid System used in vehicles like the Omoda 9. In the UK-spec model, this combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors, a 34.5kWh battery, and a three-speed transmission for total system outputs of 330kW and 700Nm. The Omoda 9 is claimed to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds, while claimed electric-only range is 150km on the WLTP cycle. Freelander SUVs may also offer decent off-road ability, judging by Chery's efforts under the Jetour and iCar brands, but be will likely be positioned as more premium vehicles than, for example, Chery-branded products. The first Freelander SUV will be based on Chery's T1X platform, which underpins a raft of vehicles from the Chinese automaker ranging from the small Omoda 3 up to the large Chery Tiggo 9L (above). But while underneath it'll be pure Chery, the Freelander SUV's exterior styling – which Autocar reports will blend a combination of chunky off-road and sporty coupe SUV design cues – will be penned by JLR chief creative officer Gerry McGovern, who helped design the original Land Rover Freelander. With a more rakish silhouette than the old Land Rover Freelander, the debut model under the new brand may stand out better against existing Chery models like the blocky Jaecoo J7 (pictured above) and JLR models like the upcoming 'baby' Defender Sport. Other Freelander models will follow, and JLR has previously said they'll be set apart from not only other Chery brands but also JLR's global 'House of Brands' portfolio, which currently comprises the Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar brands. Autocar reports Freelander will launch in the UK before the end of the decade, which almost certainly means right-hand drive production – and therefore means an Australian launch is possible. The Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture was established in 2012, but sales of its vehicles have slumped in recent years as competition – particularly from domestic brands – has gotten tougher in that market. As with automakers like Audi, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen, JLR is using a Chinese partner to develop a vehicle that it will sell under one of its own established names. Freelander vehicles will also be sold via Chery-run dealerships in China. The original Land Rover Freelander was offered for two generations between 1997 and 2015, with more than 300,000 units sold globally over the course of its life. The Freelander was only offered in a three-door body style in its first generation, which was replaced in 2006, and then eventually succeeded by the Range Rover Evoque in 2011. Five-door versions were effectively replaced by the Discovery Sport in 2015. Content originally sourced from: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will end production of Land Rovervehicles in China to make room for a new auto brand called Freelander, springing from its joint venture with Chery. And while Freelander will start off as a China-exclusive brand, it's set to eventually go global. That'll see it vie for buyers' attention alongside Chery brands such as Jaecoo, Omoda, iCar/iCaur, Exeed, Exlantix, Jetour and Lepas. After JLR announced the Freelander brand last June, more details have come to light courtesy of a recent earnings call as well as reports from Autocar and Automotive News Europe. JLR will end production of its Jaguar XEL and XFL sedans and the E-Pace SUV at the Chery Jaguar Land Rover plant in Changshu, China in September, before production of the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport ends there towards the end of 2026. The British automaker, whose parent company is India's tata Motors, had previously announced it would build Freelander EVs alongside existing Chery Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in Changshu. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Freelander's debut model will reportedly enter production in China in late 2026 with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power, followed by battery-electric (EV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants. The PHEV could feature the Super Hybrid System used in vehicles like the Omoda 9. In the UK-spec model, this combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors, a 34.5kWh battery, and a three-speed transmission for total system outputs of 330kW and 700Nm. The Omoda 9 is claimed to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds, while claimed electric-only range is 150km on the WLTP cycle. Freelander SUVs may also offer decent off-road ability, judging by Chery's efforts under the Jetour and iCar brands, but be will likely be positioned as more premium vehicles than, for example, Chery-branded products. The first Freelander SUV will be based on Chery's T1X platform, which underpins a raft of vehicles from the Chinese automaker ranging from the small Omoda 3 up to the large Chery Tiggo 9L (above). But while underneath it'll be pure Chery, the Freelander SUV's exterior styling – which Autocar reports will blend a combination of chunky off-road and sporty coupe SUV design cues – will be penned by JLR chief creative officer Gerry McGovern, who helped design the original Land Rover Freelander. With a more rakish silhouette than the old Land Rover Freelander, the debut model under the new brand may stand out better against existing Chery models like the blocky Jaecoo J7 (pictured above) and JLR models like the upcoming 'baby' Defender Sport. Other Freelander models will follow, and JLR has previously said they'll be set apart from not only other Chery brands but also JLR's global 'House of Brands' portfolio, which currently comprises the Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar brands. Autocar reports Freelander will launch in the UK before the end of the decade, which almost certainly means right-hand drive production – and therefore means an Australian launch is possible. The Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture was established in 2012, but sales of its vehicles have slumped in recent years as competition – particularly from domestic brands – has gotten tougher in that market. As with automakers like Audi, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen, JLR is using a Chinese partner to develop a vehicle that it will sell under one of its own established names. Freelander vehicles will also be sold via Chery-run dealerships in China. The original Land Rover Freelander was offered for two generations between 1997 and 2015, with more than 300,000 units sold globally over the course of its life. The Freelander was only offered in a three-door body style in its first generation, which was replaced in 2006, and then eventually succeeded by the Range Rover Evoque in 2011. Five-door versions were effectively replaced by the Discovery Sport in 2015. Content originally sourced from: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will end production of Land Rovervehicles in China to make room for a new auto brand called Freelander, springing from its joint venture with Chery. And while Freelander will start off as a China-exclusive brand, it's set to eventually go global. That'll see it vie for buyers' attention alongside Chery brands such as Jaecoo, Omoda, iCar/iCaur, Exeed, Exlantix, Jetour and Lepas. After JLR announced the Freelander brand last June, more details have come to light courtesy of a recent earnings call as well as reports from Autocar and Automotive News Europe. JLR will end production of its Jaguar XEL and XFL sedans and the E-Pace SUV at the Chery Jaguar Land Rover plant in Changshu, China in September, before production of the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport ends there towards the end of 2026. The British automaker, whose parent company is India's tata Motors, had previously announced it would build Freelander EVs alongside existing Chery Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in Changshu. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Freelander's debut model will reportedly enter production in China in late 2026 with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power, followed by battery-electric (EV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants. The PHEV could feature the Super Hybrid System used in vehicles like the Omoda 9. In the UK-spec model, this combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors, a 34.5kWh battery, and a three-speed transmission for total system outputs of 330kW and 700Nm. The Omoda 9 is claimed to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds, while claimed electric-only range is 150km on the WLTP cycle. Freelander SUVs may also offer decent off-road ability, judging by Chery's efforts under the Jetour and iCar brands, but be will likely be positioned as more premium vehicles than, for example, Chery-branded products. The first Freelander SUV will be based on Chery's T1X platform, which underpins a raft of vehicles from the Chinese automaker ranging from the small Omoda 3 up to the large Chery Tiggo 9L (above). But while underneath it'll be pure Chery, the Freelander SUV's exterior styling – which Autocar reports will blend a combination of chunky off-road and sporty coupe SUV design cues – will be penned by JLR chief creative officer Gerry McGovern, who helped design the original Land Rover Freelander. With a more rakish silhouette than the old Land Rover Freelander, the debut model under the new brand may stand out better against existing Chery models like the blocky Jaecoo J7 (pictured above) and JLR models like the upcoming 'baby' Defender Sport. Other Freelander models will follow, and JLR has previously said they'll be set apart from not only other Chery brands but also JLR's global 'House of Brands' portfolio, which currently comprises the Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar brands. Autocar reports Freelander will launch in the UK before the end of the decade, which almost certainly means right-hand drive production – and therefore means an Australian launch is possible. The Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture was established in 2012, but sales of its vehicles have slumped in recent years as competition – particularly from domestic brands – has gotten tougher in that market. As with automakers like Audi, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen, JLR is using a Chinese partner to develop a vehicle that it will sell under one of its own established names. Freelander vehicles will also be sold via Chery-run dealerships in China. The original Land Rover Freelander was offered for two generations between 1997 and 2015, with more than 300,000 units sold globally over the course of its life. The Freelander was only offered in a three-door body style in its first generation, which was replaced in 2006, and then eventually succeeded by the Range Rover Evoque in 2011. Five-door versions were effectively replaced by the Discovery Sport in 2015. Content originally sourced from: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will end production of Land Rovervehicles in China to make room for a new auto brand called Freelander, springing from its joint venture with Chery. And while Freelander will start off as a China-exclusive brand, it's set to eventually go global. That'll see it vie for buyers' attention alongside Chery brands such as Jaecoo, Omoda, iCar/iCaur, Exeed, Exlantix, Jetour and Lepas. After JLR announced the Freelander brand last June, more details have come to light courtesy of a recent earnings call as well as reports from Autocar and Automotive News Europe. JLR will end production of its Jaguar XEL and XFL sedans and the E-Pace SUV at the Chery Jaguar Land Rover plant in Changshu, China in September, before production of the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport ends there towards the end of 2026. The British automaker, whose parent company is India's tata Motors, had previously announced it would build Freelander EVs alongside existing Chery Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in Changshu. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Freelander's debut model will reportedly enter production in China in late 2026 with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power, followed by battery-electric (EV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants. The PHEV could feature the Super Hybrid System used in vehicles like the Omoda 9. In the UK-spec model, this combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors, a 34.5kWh battery, and a three-speed transmission for total system outputs of 330kW and 700Nm. The Omoda 9 is claimed to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds, while claimed electric-only range is 150km on the WLTP cycle. Freelander SUVs may also offer decent off-road ability, judging by Chery's efforts under the Jetour and iCar brands, but be will likely be positioned as more premium vehicles than, for example, Chery-branded products. The first Freelander SUV will be based on Chery's T1X platform, which underpins a raft of vehicles from the Chinese automaker ranging from the small Omoda 3 up to the large Chery Tiggo 9L (above). But while underneath it'll be pure Chery, the Freelander SUV's exterior styling – which Autocar reports will blend a combination of chunky off-road and sporty coupe SUV design cues – will be penned by JLR chief creative officer Gerry McGovern, who helped design the original Land Rover Freelander. With a more rakish silhouette than the old Land Rover Freelander, the debut model under the new brand may stand out better against existing Chery models like the blocky Jaecoo J7 (pictured above) and JLR models like the upcoming 'baby' Defender Sport. Other Freelander models will follow, and JLR has previously said they'll be set apart from not only other Chery brands but also JLR's global 'House of Brands' portfolio, which currently comprises the Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar brands. Autocar reports Freelander will launch in the UK before the end of the decade, which almost certainly means right-hand drive production – and therefore means an Australian launch is possible. The Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture was established in 2012, but sales of its vehicles have slumped in recent years as competition – particularly from domestic brands – has gotten tougher in that market. As with automakers like Audi, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen, JLR is using a Chinese partner to develop a vehicle that it will sell under one of its own established names. Freelander vehicles will also be sold via Chery-run dealerships in China. The original Land Rover Freelander was offered for two generations between 1997 and 2015, with more than 300,000 units sold globally over the course of its life. The Freelander was only offered in a three-door body style in its first generation, which was replaced in 2006, and then eventually succeeded by the Range Rover Evoque in 2011. Five-door versions were effectively replaced by the Discovery Sport in 2015. Content originally sourced from:
Perth Now
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Chery launching yet another brand, this one at the expense of Chinese Land Rovers
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will end production of Land Rover vehicles in China to make room for a new auto brand called Freelander, springing from its joint venture with Chery. And while Freelander will start off as a China-exclusive brand, it's set to eventually go global. That'll see it vie for buyers' attention alongside Chery brands such as Jaecoo, Omoda, iCar/iCaur, Exeed, Exlantix, Jetour and Lepas. After JLR announced the Freelander brand last June, more details have come to light courtesy of a recent earnings call as well as reports from Autocar and Automotive News Europe. JLR will end production of its Jaguar XEL and XFL sedans and the E-Pace SUV at the Chery Jaguar Land Rover plant in Changshu, China in September, before production of the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport ends there towards the end of 2026. The British automaker, whose parent company is India's tata Motors, had previously announced it would build Freelander EVs alongside existing Chery Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in Changshu. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Freelander's debut model will reportedly enter production in China in late 2026 with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power, followed by battery-electric (EV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants. The PHEV could feature the Super Hybrid System used in vehicles like the Omoda 9. In the UK-spec model, this combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors, a 34.5kWh battery, and a three-speed transmission for total system outputs of 330kW and 700Nm. The Omoda 9 is claimed to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds, while claimed electric-only range is 150km on the WLTP cycle. Freelander SUVs may also offer decent off-road ability, judging by Chery's efforts under the Jetour and iCar brands, but be will likely be positioned as more premium vehicles than, for example, Chery-branded products. The first Freelander SUV will be based on Chery's T1X platform, which underpins a raft of vehicles from the Chinese automaker ranging from the small Omoda 3 up to the large Chery Tiggo 9L (above). Supplied Credit: CarExpert But while underneath it'll be pure Chery, the Freelander SUV's exterior styling – which Autocar reports will blend a combination of chunky off-road and sporty coupe SUV design cues – will be penned by JLR chief creative officer Gerry McGovern, who helped design the original Land Rover Freelander. With a more rakish silhouette than the old Land Rover Freelander, the debut model under the new brand may stand out better against existing Chery models like the blocky Jaecoo J7 (pictured above) and JLR models like the upcoming 'baby' Defender Sport. Other Freelander models will follow, and JLR has previously said they'll be set apart from not only other Chery brands but also JLR's global 'House of Brands' portfolio, which currently comprises the Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar brands. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Autocar reports Freelander will launch in the UK before the end of the decade, which almost certainly means right-hand drive production – and therefore means an Australian launch is possible. The Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture was established in 2012, but sales of its vehicles have slumped in recent years as competition – particularly from domestic brands – has gotten tougher in that market. As with automakers like Audi, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen, JLR is using a Chinese partner to develop a vehicle that it will sell under one of its own established names. Freelander vehicles will also be sold via Chery-run dealerships in China. The original Land Rover Freelander was offered for two generations between 1997 and 2015, with more than 300,000 units sold globally over the course of its life. The Freelander was only offered in a three-door body style in its first generation, which was replaced in 2006, and then eventually succeeded by the Range Rover Evoque in 2011. Five-door versions were effectively replaced by the Discovery Sport in 2015.
7NEWS
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Chery launching yet another brand, this one at the expense of Chinese Land Rovers
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will end production of Land Rover vehicles in China to make room for a new auto brand called Freelander, springing from its joint venture with Chery. And while Freelander will start off as a China-exclusive brand, it's set to eventually go global. That'll see it vie for buyers' attention alongside Chery brands such as Jaecoo, Omoda, iCar/iCaur, Exeed, Exlantix, Jetour and Lepas. After JLR announced the Freelander brand last June, more details have come to light courtesy of a recent earnings call as well as reports from Autocar and Automotive News Europe. JLR will end production of its Jaguar XEL and XFL sedans and the E-Pace SUV at the Chery Jaguar Land Rover plant in Changshu, China in September, before production of the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport ends there towards the end of 2026. The British automaker, whose parent company is India's tata Motors, had previously announced it would build Freelander EVs alongside existing Chery Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in Changshu. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Freelander's debut model will reportedly enter production in China in late 2026 with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power, followed by battery-electric (EV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants. The PHEV could feature the Super Hybrid System used in vehicles like the Omoda 9. In the UK-spec model, this combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors, a 34.5kWh battery, and a three-speed transmission for total system outputs of 330kW and 700Nm. The Omoda 9 is claimed to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds, while claimed electric-only range is 150km on the WLTP cycle. Freelander SUVs may also offer decent off-road ability, judging by Chery's efforts under the Jetour and iCar brands, but be will likely be positioned as more premium vehicles than, for example, Chery-branded products. The first Freelander SUV will be based on Chery's T1X platform, which underpins a raft of vehicles from the Chinese automaker ranging from the small Omoda 3 up to the large Chery Tiggo 9L (above). But while underneath it'll be pure Chery, the Freelander SUV's exterior styling – which Autocar reports will blend a combination of chunky off-road and sporty coupe SUV design cues – will be penned by JLR chief creative officer Gerry McGovern, who helped design the original Land Rover Freelander. With a more rakish silhouette than the old Land Rover Freelander, the debut model under the new brand may stand out better against existing Chery models like the blocky Jaecoo J7 (pictured above) and JLR models like the upcoming 'baby' Defender Sport. Other Freelander models will follow, and JLR has previously said they'll be set apart from not only other Chery brands but also JLR's global 'House of Brands' portfolio, which currently comprises the Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar brands. Autocar reports Freelander will launch in the UK before the end of the decade, which almost certainly means right-hand drive production – and therefore means an Australian launch is possible. The Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture was established in 2012, but sales of its vehicles have slumped in recent years as competition – particularly from domestic brands – has gotten tougher in that market. As with automakers like Audi, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen, JLR is using a Chinese partner to develop a vehicle that it will sell under one of its own established names. Freelander vehicles will also be sold via Chery-run dealerships in China. The original Land Rover Freelander was offered for two generations between 1997 and 2015, with more than 300,000 units sold globally over the course of its life. The Freelander was only offered in a three-door body style in its first generation, which was replaced in 2006, and then eventually succeeded by the Range Rover Evoque in 2011.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chery's Omoda 9 plug-in hybrid will be rival to Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota RAV4 and BYD Seal U in Europe
Chinese brand Omoda has begun sales of the Omoda 9 midsize plug-in hybrid SUV in its core European markets as its parent Chery tries to pivots away from gasoline cars. The Omoda 9 sits above the Omoda 5 compact SUV and comes with a large 34-kilowatt hour battery to give an electric-only range of 145 km (93 miles) It is 4770-mm long and will compete against plug-in hybrid versions of the Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota RAV4, BYD Seal U and Mazda CX-60 in Omoda's European markets of Spain, the U.K., Poland and Italy. Chery was the fastest growing Chinese automaker in Europe in the first two months with sales of 8,000, up 4,271 percent on the year before, according to figures from market researcher Dataforce. Chery's growth has mainly come from gasoline models, which accounted for 78 percent of the company's sales. Chery sells gasoline versions of the Omoda 5 and Jaecoo 7 compact SUV. Jaecoo also offers a plug-in hybrid version of the Jaecoo 7, using an 18 kilowatt-hour battery. The Omoda 5 also available as an all-electric model. Chery will offer one version of the Omoda 9 plug-in-hybrid with a long list of standard equipment, including technology usually restricted to higher-grade models such as a head-up display, a 1.3-meter-long sunroof, heated and ventilated seats front and rear, and a 14-speaker Sony stereo system. The dashboard is dominated by a large curved 24.6-inch information panel that incorporates a touchscreen. The so-called Super Hybrid System (SHS) packages a 143 hp, 1.5-liter gasoline engine and three electric motors to give a claimed combined power output of 443 hp. Omoda says the car will accelerate from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds. One of the three motors is mounted on the rear axle to give the car all-wheel-drive capability. Different driving modes including Eco, Normal, Sport, Mud, Snow and Off-Road change the way the power is delivered. The car is priced at 44,990 pounds ($58,220) in the U.K., Chery's second largest market in Europe after Spain. The price is pitched above the entry Skoda Kodiaq iV plug-in hybrid at 41,935 pounds (€54,000), with the Omoda aiming to tempt customers with more power and equipment. The Omoda 9 will be followed by the Omoda 7 SUV that slots below but above the 5, Chery U.K. head Victor Zhang told Automotive News Europe last year, without giving timings. A small SUV badged 3 will follow after the 7, Zhang said. Sign up for the Automotive News Europe Interview of the Month newsletter delivering exclusive interviews with top auto executives. Omoda and Jaecoo are Chery's export brands. The company has recently said it would offer its Tiggo brand in select eastern European markets, starting with the midsize Tiggo 8 plug-in hybrid . Models in the Tiggo range are also sold under the Italian DR brand as well as Ebro in Spain. Chery aims to become a plug-in hybrid leader in Europe, the company has said. Plug-in hybrids are not subject to the same tariff increases recently applied to Chinese built-EVs by the European Union and are increasingly being offered by Chinese brands as a way to lower their average CO2 as EV sales are constrained by the tariffs. Sales of Chinese-built plug-in hybrid electric vehicles rose 321 percent in February to 4,744, led by the BYD Seal U SUV, MG HS and the Jaecoo 7.
