Lepas SUV Range Coming To Malaysia In Q1 2026

The Lepas automotive brand, a premium sub-division of the Chery Group, is scheduled to officially launch in Malaysia in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026. The name “Lepas” is a combination of “leopard,” “leap,” and “passion,” and the company is positioning itself as a luxury offering within the Chery Group‘s multi-brand strategy.

Just like iCaur, Lepas is another sub-brand of the Chery Group and this means Chery Group will have 5 automotive brands (Jetour, OMODA, Chery and iCaur) in Malaysia before Christmas 2026.

Following the brand’s debut, the first vehicle products are expected to arrive within the first half of 2026 (1H 2026).

The Three Core Advantages of LEPAS

The brand is built upon three major pillars:

Leopard Aesthetics: An iconic design language where dynamic lines, sculpted surfaces, and harmonious proportions create elegance at first sight.

LEPAS Elegant Technology: An intelligent platform integrating battery, motor, and control to deliver smoother, safer, and more refined driving experiences.

Exquisite Space: A thoughtfully designed third living space where comfort, serenity, and confidence accompany every journey.

Key Launch Details

The brand plans to debut with the Lepas L8 SUV, a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) featuring a 1,300 km total range. It will likely be followed by the L6 and L4 SUV models.

Lepas is positioned as a “premium lifestyle” brand, intended to slot between the main Chery brand and the luxury-focused Omoda/Jaecoo marques.

As of early 2026, sample vehicles are already in Malaysia undergoing testing and type approval with the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

Following the global launch and unveil of the L8, the brand is now focused on its global export strategy, with specific market launches planned in different regions.

The brand aims to sell in 27 countries by the end of 2025, expanding to 45 countries by 2027.

The brand and its models are scheduled to launch in South Africa in early 2026 with petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options, offering advanced tech, bold “leopard-inspired” design, and premium interiors, positioned above Chery but below traditional luxury brands, aiming for established professionals seeking elegance and technology.

Besides the flagship L8 (which shares design cues with the Chery Tiggo 9), Lepas has also plans for two smaller crossover models, the L4 and L6, to be released in various markets.

In December 2025, Lepas showcased the L8 PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) in Milan, Italy.

When it appeared in Milan for a promotional roadshow at Piazza Gae Aulenti it followed its European debut in Turin, signalling LEPAS’s serious push into the European market in 2026.