Chery is rolling out yet another brand in Australia, where one of its first models to become available will be a small-to-medium electric SUV.
The Lepas L6 is due on sale here during the fourth quarter (October to December) of 2026, featuring a single-motor electric powertrain producing 160kW of power and 275Nm of torque.
The brand claims an estimated range of 450km from a 65kWh battery, though doesn’t specify the test cycle.
Lepas hasn’t provided any other specifications for the L6, confirming these will be released closer to the vehicle’s local arrival along with pricing. However, it’s understood the L6 is around 4.5m long, putting it at the smaller end of the mid-size SUV segment.
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Chery doesn’t currently offer any mid-size electric SUVs in Australia, only a pair of small ones: the Chery E5 and the Jaecoo J5 EV. The L6 could give it a rival to the likes of the BYD Atto 3 and Geely EX5.
Unlike the combustion-powered L6 revealed earlier, the electric L6 has a much less polarising front fascia with a smooth, grille-less nose.
Inside, the look is reminiscent of the Jaecoo J5, with a slim digital instrument cluster and a portrait-oriented 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Other features include a panoramic glass roof and an eight-speaker Sony sound system.
Lepas is also expected to launch the smaller L4 and larger L8 in Australia.
“As demand for electric vehicles continues to grow locally, the Lepas L6 will offer Australian buyers a compelling combination of sophisticated design, intelligent features and everyday usability within the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment,” said Lepas Australia chief operating officer Lucas Harris in a press release.
Like Omoda Jaecoo, Lepas is another Chery brand developed for export markets such as Australia and Europe, offering a range of small to medium SUVs with varying degrees of electrification, all the way up to fully electric powertrains.
Chery has also previously confirmed it plans to offer L1, L2 and L3 models under the Lepas brand, as well as a large L9. The lineup could also expand to include a sedan.
Lepas is a genus of goose barnacles, but Chery says the name is a portmanteau of ‘leopard’ and ‘passion’ – the feline connection can be seen in the LED headlights, which are designed to resemble a leopard’s eye.
The brand will offer a “new generation of bold, design-led SUVs that blend passion with practicality”, along with bold exterior colours.
Chery hasn’t confirmed what Lepas’ retail strategy will be in Australia, and if the brand will be sold alongside the existing Chery and Omoda Jaecoo brands.
But with a range of crossover SUVs, Lepas’ lineup will overlap heavily with those of the existing Chery and Omoda Jaecoo brands in Australia, both of which offer small SUVs (Jaecoo J5, Chery C5/E5 and Tiggo 4) and medium SUVs (Jaecoo J7, Chery Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8).
The launch of Lepas is part of a bewildering global strategy by the Chery Group, which set a new annual export record last year with 1,344,020 units – an increase of 17.4 per cent. Exports accounted for 48 per cent of its total sales.
Not only is Lepas being launched here this year, but three other brands from the Chery Group are due to arrive here between now and the end of 2027.
iCaur, a brand specialising in boxy electrified SUVs, is expected in 2027, with Freelander, another brand set to offer boxy electrified SUVs, due mid-late 2027.
Jetour, another Chery brand, has also confirmed its intentions to launch in the Australian market. It’s understood this brand will operate separately from the rest of the Chery menagerie.
Unless Chery decides to create another export-only brand like Omoda Jaecoo or Lepas, that leaves a diminishing number of potential brand entries for Australia.
Soueast, acquired by Chery in 2024, has confirmed it’s eyeing right-hand drive markets.
There’s also Luxeed, a premium brand developed in partnership with electronics giant Huawei, and Exeed, which is among Chery’s oldest brands and specialises in premium SUVs, exporting vehicles to markets like the Middle East. One Exeed model, the RX, is already sold here as the Omoda 9.
Light commercial vehicle brand Rely has also been revived by Chery, though it’s unlikely for Australia given the Chinese automaker has already confirmed it will sell the upcoming KP31 ute under its namesake brand.
MORE: Chery launching its third auto brand in Australia in four years