Chery and its iCaur brand are working to improve towing and load-carrying capacity for two models planned for Australia. An iCaur product manager said the V27 SUV's towing capacity of about 1.6 tonnes is not enough and will be improved, though no revised figure or timing has been announced. Chery's Stockman ute is also being developed towards a one-tonne payload, currently a preliminary 765kg. The Stockman remains scheduled to arrive in Australia in February 2027.
Freelander is targeting around 25 dealers for its Australian launch in 2027, according to the brand's head for Australia and New Zealand, Kym Mellow. The network could include existing Chery retailers and premium-brand dealers, including those representing JLR brands. Mr Mellow said the brand will have its own dealer network, and that it is looking for a local headquarters in Melbourne. The Freelander 8 large SUV will lead the launch. Australian pricing and specifications have yet to be announced.
Chery's Jetour brand has received Australian Design Rule certification for its T1 and T2 mid-size SUVs ahead of their expected early 2027 releases. The T2 has a boxier shape, while the T1 has a sleeker rear end. Filings list a turbo-petrol engine and a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid option, with the hybrid producing up to 430kW in all-wheel-drive form. Jetour is also expected to bring the F700 ute and G700 off-road SUV in the second half of 2027 at the earliest.
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Chery plans to enter Australia's luxury car market under the Exlantix name, with first vehicles expected in the first half of 2027. The ES GT shooting brake and the new ET SUV will lead the rollout, with right-hand drive examples shown in Shanghai. Exeed International chief executive Lilian Xiong said the Exeed name cannot be registered in some markets, including Australia, so Exlantix will be used instead. Australian prices and detailed variants have not yet been announced. Exlantix will offer both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, with powertrains still to be confirmed.
Jetour T1 and T2 mid-size SUVs have been spotted testing in Australia, with both expected to be the first models offered by the Chery Group brand when it launches here in 2027. Photos sent by a reader show the camouflaged vehicles parked at Bondi Beach. Jetour will be run separately from other Chery Group brands in Australia. The larger F700 ute and G700 off-road SUV are not expected until the second half of 2027 at the earliest.
