Jaecoo owner Chery to launch third brand in UK to challenge Dacia
Jaecoo and Omoda parent Chery is gearing up to launch a third brand in the UK called Lepas, with a Dacia Duster rival tipped to hit roads later this year.
The Chinese manufacturer – which is the world’s largest exporter of cars – has already found success with its first two ventures in the UK, recording more than 10,000 since their arrival last year.
While those brands both focus on large moderately premium SUVs, Lepas is expected to be positioned at the more value end of the spectrum, with a focus on younger buyers.
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To do this, cars sold here are tipped to be rebadged SUVs from sibling Chery brand Tiggo, reports Car Dealer. Tiggo’s range spans from the Ford Puma-rivalling 2 Pro, to the Nissan X-Trail-sized 8 Pro. The latter has already spawned Lepas’ first car: the L8.
A spokesperson for the brand told Car Dealer at the Shanghai motor show that while it was “not yet in a position to comment publicly on the specifics” of an expansion to the UK market, “we can confirm that strategic plans are progressing” with “a full update in due course”.
Sources have told the outlet that dealers are already being contacted about selling the cars here, with the first cars to arrive in the UK to be B-segment models.
This would likely begin with the Skoda Karoq-sized 4 Pro, given this car is already sold in right-hand drive South Africa and Australia. It is unlikely to be joined by the smaller 2 Pro as its platform does not allow for RHD configuration.
The 4 Pro is sold with either a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol in base spec, or an equal sized turbocharged unit for top-rung models. The latter is the most likely to make it here given UK emission regulations.
In that spec, the 4 Pro is sold for the equivalent of £13,000 in Australia, although its rebadaging – plus local taxes and import costs – will most likely inflate that price, but like its Jaecoo and Omoda siblings, still be positioned to undercut rivals such as Dacia.
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