Chery’s Lepas Brand Set To Enter Malaysia Within 1H 2026

Remember the Lepas brand from Chery? It's now set for launch in Malaysia within 1H of 2026.

At the recent 2025 Chery International User Summit held in Wuhu, China, leading Chinese automaker and exporter Chery has confirmed plans plus a rough timeline for when it will introduce its new Lepas brand in Malaysia.

Said plans were detailed at said summit by Chery Corporate Malaysia – the automaker’s Malaysian principal arm. From what we can grasp, the firm could kick things off for Lepas in Malaysia within the first half (1H) of next year (2026).

All signs point towards Lepas starting in Malaysia with its L8 two-row D-SUV offering featuring a PHEV heart underneath.

Moreover, all signs point towards the brand being led first by its L8 model, which is also the brand’s first production offering. As a refresher, the Lepas L8 is presented as ‘premium’ two-row (five-seater) D-SUV that’s available with either a regular combustion (ICE), electrified plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and fully electric (EV) powertrain choices.

For Malaysia specifically, it appears the PHEV variant could lead the charge first. This variant packs a 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol mill paired with an e-motor, 18.3 kWh LFP battery and stepless DHT box, altogether outputting 279 PS and 365 Nm.

No indicative pricing were hinted, but our best guess is that the Lepas L8 PHEV could be priced between the recently launched Chery Tiggo 8 PHEV CSH and its Jaecoo J8 twin. We’ll also add that the Lepas L8 PHEV will have a better (read: clearer) distinction from the latter two thanks its two-row seating layout – a trait that might woo local buyers.

We were also able to size-up the Lepas L6 PHEV model recently in Wuhu, China. Would you fancy still 'upmarket' cousin to the Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV CSH instead?

Another two-row crossover SUV offering that could be launched simultaneously – or shortly after – is the Lepas L6. Aptly, this C-SUV offering slots below the L8 mentioned.  We were able to size up the L6 in Wuhu, China last weekend, but specification details continue to elude our correspondent present on ground.

What’s interesting about the left-hand-drive (LHD) unit pictured though is the presence of the ‘CSH’ (Chery Super Hybrid) badge on its tailgate. This signals its status as an electrified offering, likely packing a similar PHEV setup as the  L8 mentioned. Similarly, expect the Lepas L6 to be priced in between its Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV CSH and Jaecoo J7 PHEV ‘cousins’.

The Lepas brands's current line-up consists of the L8 (centre), L6 (right) and a smaller, more 'compact' L4 (left) crossover SUVs.

In short, the Lepas brand is indeed set to enter what is now fast becoming a crowded local Malaysian market.

The real question is will any of you be keen to adopt it and any of its incoming new metal detailed? As usual, share your take in the comments below…