A decade after halting production of the Freelander, Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc is set to revive the four-wheel-drive SUV as an electric vehicle, manufactured and sold in China.
Jaguar Land Rover and China’s Chery Automobile Co. have signed a letter of intent to license the Freelander brand for a new lineup of EVs, according to a joint statement released on Wednesday. Production will be managed by CJLR, the 50-50 joint venture between the automakers, utilizing Chery’s facilities and components.
Jaguar Land Rover aims to increase its market share in the world’s largest automotive market, where local companies like BYD Co. and Great Wall Motor Co. are introducing innovative electric and hybrid vehicles to meet the demands of an increasingly adventurous consumer base. Producing the Freelander as an EV aligns with parent company Tata Motors Ltd.’s goal of making its electric business profitable.
The Freelander will be manufactured in Changshu and initially launched in the Chinese market, with plans for global export in the future. The CJLR joint venture, established in 2012, will continue producing a range of gasoline vehicles.
The companies did not disclose when Freelander production would commence. The model, discontinued in 2015, was replaced by the Discovery Sport.