Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a strategic partnership with Chinese car manufacturer Chery, specifically with its subsidiary Exeed, to borrow their cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) platforms for future models. This collaboration marks a significant step in JLR’s electrification strategy, aiming to enhance its product lineup with advanced EV technology.
Chery’s chairman, Yin Tongyao, confirmed that JLR would adopt the Chinese manufacturer’s platforms for its upcoming PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) models. The British luxury carmaker will utilize Exeed’s M3X and E0X modular architectures, which currently underpin vehicles like the Chery Tiggo 9, Luxeed 7, Luxeed R7, and Exeed RX.
The M3X platform, also known as T2X in China, is dedicated to ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) and PHEVs. It can be equipped with Chery’s ‘Super Hybrid’ powertrain, which includes a petrol-powered engine paired with two electric motors. On the other hand, the E0X platform, developed jointly by Chery and Huawei, supports an 800V high-voltage charging architecture and is expected to underpin JLR’s pure electric vehicles.
This partnership raises the question of whether JLR will limit the sale of E0X- and M3X-based vehicles to China or extend them to global markets. The Range Rover EV prototype, revealed two months ago and expected to go on sale later this year, could be one of the first models to benefit from this collaboration.
In addition to leveraging Exeed’s platforms, JLR and Chery have signed a Letter of Intent to license the Freelander brand to CJLR for the creation of electric vehicles in China. The Freelander EV portfolio will be built alongside CJLR’s existing model range, marking a new chapter for the CJLR Joint Venture. Initially sold in China through a distinct retailer network, the Freelander brand is set to eventually reach global markets.
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