The Australian introduction of the Freelander marque will be supported by a US$440 million (A$630m) modernisation of the Chinese production facility for its latest SUVs, as the Chery-JLR partnership advances toward electrified models under the refreshed identity.

Funds target the current manufacturing site in Changshu near Shanghai, where the initial Freelander 8 SUV completed assembly on July 30, 2026.

The fresh large SUV reaches Australia in 2027. Details on the Freelander 8 global specification have already appeared, yet local pricing and model variants for Australia stay undisclosed.

Through written responses to media, Freelander outlined the extent of the production modernisation supporting the revived marque.

"USD 440 million supports a full modernisation of the intelligent manufacturing system aimed at new energy vehicle output," the company stated.

This outlay forms part of broader spending at the Changshu site now valued by Freelander at over US$3.1 billion (A$4.44bn). An earlier manufacturing release included the US$440 million modernisation within that overall figure.

The previously noted factory improvements underpin the Freelander marque global production strategy, with no dedicated allocation for Australian output noted in the supplied material.

Freelander 8 assembly is already underway. JLR noted the July 30 achievement in its August financial report, while Chery indicated that output for export markets had also begun.

Neither statement gave a start date for Australian-bound vehicles or the quantities allocated to this market.

Changshu transition supplies the revived marque with an established production base once used for Jaguar and Land Rover models such as the Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport.

The partners June 2024 statement outlined licensing the Freelander name to the joint venture for models built on Chery electric vehicle platforms. At that stage they indicated new vehicles would share the site with the existing lineup.

By May 2025 reports emerged of plans to wind down Jaguar and Land Rover output at the plant to accommodate Freelander models.

The new marque follows a different structure from the earlier Land Rover Freelander range. JLR retains ownership of the name and has created a dedicated design centre to guide styling, while Chery supplies technology and supply chain resources.

Freelander functions independently from JLR and its Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar lines. The 2024 agreement also foresaw a separate retail network in China ahead of export activity.

Within the modernised facility Freelander reports more than 1100 robots, among them 1054 in the welding area. Welding processes are described as fully automated.

Digital production tools log each manufacturing step and enable quality tracking, letting the plant monitor every stage completed by each vehicle.

Additional inspections occur before vehicles depart, covering high-voltage battery sealing checks, driver assistance calibration and electronic system verification.

Every Freelander 8 also completes a five-minute full-vehicle water spray test, the company confirms.

Freelander has not released an annual output target or an Australian volume allocation, so export quantities remain unspecified.

The company notes development of three international versions of the Freelander 8: left-hand drive, right-hand drive and a European specification, each adapted to satisfy regional regulations and buyer needs.

The international left-hand drive model shown to media uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain pairing a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with two electric motors. Claimed figures are 460kW of power and 662Nm of torque.

Freelander rollout sequence places the United Arab Emirates and other left-hand drive export destinations first, followed by right-hand drive markets led by Australia and New Zealand. Continental Europe, the UK and Ireland come in a later stage.

Australian Freelander 8 pricing, specifications, equipment, warranty and servicing details are yet to be released.