Chery’s New Lepas Marque Debuts Down Under With L6 EV As Malaysian Launch Plans Face Delays

Chery Group’s newest international automotive marque, Lepas, is officially entering the Australasian market this October with the rollout of its maiden pure-electric mid-size SUV, the Lepas L6 EV.

The Lepas brand has been building up for its Malaysian launch for quite some time now, but now it looks like Australia has gotten it first ahead of us. Malaysia had previously been earmarked as one of the earliest launch pads for the brand globally, yet while Australia is already rolling out showroom units, progress on local shores appears to have slowed to a crawl.

Extensive Local Groundwork in Malaysia, But Where Is the Launch?

The stage for Lepas in Malaysia had been meticulously set by Chery Corporate Malaysia over the past year.

The distributor initiated local branding efforts across dedicated social channels, set up a dedicated portal, and outlined an ambitious multi-tier product strategy comprising the compact L4, mid-size L6, and flagship three-row L8 SUV. The brand was framed to spearhead Chery’s design-led luxury push, anchored by a multi-energy powertrain portfolio spanning petrol, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery-electric (BEV) setups.

Chery even tied the brand’s long-term viability directly to domestic manufacturing commitments under its multi-billion-ringgit Smart Auto City assembly hub.

Yet despite initial timelines pointing toward a market arrival in early 2026, the Malaysian campaign has visibly cooled off. With test-drive previews remaining quiet, dealer allocation timelines pushed back, and customer communications quiet, the brand’s local debut has effectively slipped behind other regional priorities.

Managing multiple sub-brands simultaneously—including Chery’s core Tiggo line, the premium off-road-oriented Jaecoo, and the retro-styled iCaur sub-division—may have compelled management to reassess its retail bandwidth before adding another badge to local showrooms.

Australia Takes the Spotlight: The Lepas L6 EV Revealed

While Malaysia waits, Lepas Australia is pressing ahead in one of the world’s most fiercely contested electric SUV arenas.

According to Lucas Harris, Chief Operating Officer for Lepas Australia, the brand has been tailored around a “Bold by Nature” concept, combining human-centric digital interfaces and advanced electrification with everyday urban durability.

Built on Chery Group’s modular LEX platform—engineered to accommodate various body profiles and new-energy configurations—the L6 EV enters the C-segment electric bracket with solid mechanical credentials:

• Powertrain Output: Powered by a single front-mounted electric motor delivering 160 kW (218 PS) of maximum power and 275 Nm of peak torque to the front wheels.
• Battery Pack: Equipped with a 65 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, engineered with high structural density and thermal protection.
• Driving Range: Delivers an official WLTP-certified driving range of up to 440 km, paired with an average energy consumption rating of 17.5 kWh per 100 km.
• Fast-Charging Capability: Supports high-output DC fast charging capable of replenishing the battery from 30% to 80% state of charge in approximately 22 minutes.

Can We Expect Lepas to Arrive Locally Soon?

Australia securing first access provides a clear look at what Malaysian buyers can expect once the brand’s local rollout resumes.

With right-hand-drive engineering, ADR safety homologation, and software localization now validated for the Australian market, the mechanical heavy lifting for our region is largely complete. Whether Chery Auto Malaysia chooses to lead with the pure-electric L6 EV or opt for the long-range L8 PHEV to sidestep charging concerns, the brand’s eventual entry will depend on how quickly local dealer networks can clear space for yet another nameplate on the showroom floor.