Chery’s Expanding Family: How Lepas Will Shape SUV Shopping In SA
You’ve probably noticed the flurry of new badges arriving on South African roads lately. First Chery, OMODA, and JAECOO, and now, another name is sparking global buzz …
Hot on the heels of OMODA and JAECOO, the automaker has unveiled its new premium SUV brand, Lepas, which is set to arrive on local roads in 2026. For drivers who crave design flair, cutting-edge tech, and a vehicle that reflects their lifestyle as much as their needs, Lepas promises to be something special.
While South African fans will need to wait a little longer to see one in the metal, there’s already plenty to unpack about what Lepas means for the Chery brand family, and what local SUV shoppers can expect when it lands.
What Is Lepas, Exactly?
Lepas is Chery’s newest global brand, a premium-leaning, export-only SUV line that first hit the spotlight in 2025. Rather than being a rebadge of existing models, it’s a bold experiment in how Chery can tailor its design, technology, and branding for different global markets.
The name Lepas blends leap and passion, symbolising energy, creativity, and forward motion. Its design language, what Chery calls Leopard Aesthetic, is unmistakable: sleek lines, dramatic LED ‘leopard-eye’ lighting, and interiors that look more boutique hotel than basic transport. The first three models unveiled internationally, the L8, L6, and L4, give a taste of that modern, expressive direction.
So yes, Lepas made a splash at the Jakarta International Auto Show, but the real story isn’t where it debuted; it’s why it exists.
LEARN MORE: Chery’s Bold Leap Forward With Lepas Coming In 2026
How Lepas Reflects Chery’s Global Game Plan
Chery has grown into one of China’s most influential carmakers by building brands that speak to specific lifestyles. Each has its own personality:
- Chery (Tiggo series). Reliable and value-driven for everyday families.
- OMODA. Style-centric, tech-savvy, and fashion-forward.
- JAECOO. Rugged-urban, blending off-road confidence with city comfort.
- Lepas. Youthful-premium, aimed at global trendsetters seeking individuality.
It’s a strategy that mirrors what global giants have done for decades, think Toyota with Lexus or Hyundai with Genesis, but Chery is compressing that evolution into just a few short years. The goal is to give customers fine-tuned options, from practical to premium, without leaving the brand ecosystem.
That’s why you may soon see near-twin models, like the Tiggo 8 and Lepas L8, sharing platforms but wearing different faces. It’s not duplication, it’s differentiation. The Tiggo appeals to established families seeking space and dependability, while the Lepas version turns the same solid foundation into something sleeker, more expressive, and lifestyle-driven.
ALSO SEE: Chery Tiggo 7 Pro vs. New Facelifted Tiggo 7 (What’s Changed?)
Models To Watch
The L8 will lead the charge, sitting in the mid-size SUV space with coupe-like styling, a minimalist dashboard, and a tech-first cabin. Early previews overseas showed a portrait-style touchscreen that flows down the console like a waterfall and plush seating designed for long-haul comfort.
Next comes the L6, a slightly smaller crossover that promises to bring the same design flair to the compact category, and the L4, a nimble, city-friendly SUV aimed at young professionals. All three share modular architecture capable of supporting internal combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full-electric powertrains, a flexibility that allows each market to tailor its lineup based on demand and infrastructure.
In other words, Lepas isn’t building just cars; they’re building adaptability.
When Will Lepas Arrive In South Africa?
Most local reporting still points to a 2026 arrival for Lepas in South Africa, with the L8 expected to be first through the gates. A few speculative reports have hinted at late-2025 arrivals, but no official confirmation supports that yet.
Given Chery’s careful sequencing, first OMODA, then JAECOO, a 2026 debut makes sense. It gives the company time to ready dealerships, train technicians, and position Lepas correctly in the premium segment.
If you’re curious to see it in the metal before then, you’ll probably spot it in international reviews and launch coverage throughout 2025 as more export markets go live.
READ NEXT: Chery Takes Aim At The Bakkie Big League In SA
How Lepas Could Reshape Showrooms
Imagine walking into a Group1 Chery dealership a year or two from now. On one side, you’ve got the Tiggo 7 Pro, spacious, capable, family-friendly. Next to it sits an OMODA C5, edgy, youthful, a little daring.
JAECOO adds the adventurous edge with its urban-rugged bakkie DNA. And then, on a raised display, gleaming under soft lights, is the Lepas L8, coupe-like stance, plush leather, and a calm, digital-first cabin.
It’s all part of the same family, but each model tells a different story. The shopper experience becomes about personality fit rather than budget brackets alone. That’s clever brand architecture in action.
Why Lepas Matters For Mzansi Drivers
Here’s what all of this means for South African buyers:
Premium value without premium pricing. Lepas will likely sit above the Tiggo Pro range in pricing but below traditional luxury rivals. That middle-ground “smart premium” approach means you can get a distinctive design, advanced safety tech, and a more refined interior without paying a badge tax.
Momentum for electrified mobility. Chery South Africa is already seeding hybrid and plug-in models under the OMODA and JAECOO badges. Lepas could take that further, introducing higher-output hybrid or even full EV options once local readiness improves.
Simpler brand map & clearer choices. With four well-defined sub-brands, buyers can now align their choice with personality. OMODA for style, JAECOO for exploration, Chery for practicality, and Lepas for modern elegance. That clarity makes cross-shopping easier and builds trust in the group’s ecosystem.
Shared infrastructure & servicing. Because Lepas vehicles share core engineering and supplier networks with Chery, servicing and parts availability should be straightforward. Expect dealer integration rather than an entirely new support structure, which is a big plus for ownership confidence.
Design & technology that feels global. From its sculpted lighting signatures to voice-controlled cabins, Lepas vehicles showcase the maturity of Chinese design thinking on a world stage. For local drivers, that means a product that feels globally competitive yet priced for Mzansi realities.
ALSO SEE: Chery Super Hybrid Tech Is Changing The Game & We’re Here For It
Why Chery Is Betting Big On This Strategy
Behind the scenes, Chery’s brand expansion coincides with significant new investment. The company’s recent listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange aims to raise fresh capital to accelerate global growth, strengthen EV development, and expand its premium sub-brands.
That funding gives Chery the firepower to bring Lepas to dozens of export markets quickly, including South Africa. It also signals a shift in how the automaker sees itself: not just as a domestic success story, but as a global innovator shaping the next generation of mobility.
For South African buyers, that’s great news. We’re not getting hand-me-down tech, we’re part of the first wave of global launches.
What’s Waiting Around The Bend?
Lepas represents Chery’s confidence writ large, a brand designed to express sophistication, individuality, and future-ready tech to a global audience. It’s the next logical step for a group that’s already made serious inroads into South Africa’s SUV market.
By the time Lepas arrives, South African drivers will already have a taste of what’s coming through OMODA and JAECOO’s electrified launches. Lepas will simply turn that up a notch, blending artistry with performance in a way that feels aspirational yet attainable.
At Group1 Chery, we’re ready for it. The world is changing fast, and so is the way we drive. Keep an eye on our blog for the latest updates, launch alerts, and behind-the-scenes stories as Lepas makes its way to Mzansi roads.
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