JLR is resurrecting the Freelander for the Chinese market

The Land Rover Freelander is making a comeback... but not here, though. It’s being resurrected as part of an electric vehicle joint venture with Chinese car maker Chery. Bet you didn’t see that one coming. Us neither.

JLR has licensed the 'Freelander' name as a brand to Chery-JLR (CJLR). That's its new joint venture created out of the need to comply with Chinese laws around foreign companies doing business there. The plan is to stick Chery’s EV architecture under a Freelander body, apparently, at least in the first instance.

We don't know much about the model's spec beyond it being fully electric and having a long range option, resurrecting a car last seen way back in 2015 before it was replaced with the Disco Sport.

This isn't the first time Tata-owned JLR has dabbled with Chery. The companies have been working together for about 12 years. Adrian Mardell, JLR’s boss said: “Today we are taking this important strategic step for JLR, one which underlines our ongoing commitment to China and complements our existing business in China.

"We believe that working together to develop new models of collaboration for the world’s largest and fastest-growing electric vehicle market, combined with the appeal of the Freelander brand, promises a very exciting future for CJLR.”

Yin Tongyue, chairman of Chery, added: "In reborn CJLR form, Freelander will offer a range of mainstream electric vehicles, initially sold in China – but over time destined for global export." Watch this space.