Freelander 8 enters mass production ahead of UAE launch in September

The first mass-production units of the new Freelander 8 have rolled off the assembly line at the Chery Jaguar Land Rover Changshu Manufacturing Base in China.

The facility is also home to the Freelander Super Factory. Production for international markets is now underway, while test vehicles have already arrived in the Middle East for regional road testing ahead of the brand’s planned market debut in Abu Dhabi in September 2026.

The production milestone moves Freelander from the product-development stage towards global market readiness, with preparations accelerating for its first international launch.

Middle East identified as a key market

Yin Tongyue, Chairman of Chery Group, attended the roll-off ceremony and highlighted the strategic importance of international markets to Freelander’s future growth.

Representatives from several Middle Eastern media outlets also attended the event and toured the factory. The visit provided an overview of the brand’s product philosophy, engineering capabilities, manufacturing operations and global market strategy.

Yin Tongyue, Chairman of Chery Group, (centre) with International Media Representatives

According to the company, participating media representatives identified the combination of premium design, intelligent technology and advanced manufacturing as some of the brand’s main strengths ahead of its Middle East introduction.

The UAE has been selected as Freelander’s first international launch market and is expected to serve as a gateway for the brand’s future global expansion. Its Abu Dhabi debut will officially introduce the brand to the Middle East.

Freelander Super Factory investment

The Freelander Super Factory brings together Jaguar Land Rover’s premium design heritage and Chery’s new-energy vehicle technology.

The Changshu facility is supported by a total investment of more than USD 3.1 billion, alongside an additional USD 440 million invested in new-energy intelligent manufacturing upgrades.

It incorporates digital manufacturing systems, flexible production processes and enhanced quality-management capabilities designed to support the production of next-generation new-energy vehicles.

Freelander says the facility’s manufacturing, quality-control and development systems will allow it to produce premium intelligent vehicles that meet global standards.

More than 1,100 robots used in production

The upgraded manufacturing facility contains more than 1,100 robots, along with a fully automated body shop and end-to-end digital quality-traceability systems.

These systems are intended to maintain manufacturing precision and consistent product quality throughout the production process.

Every Freelander 8 undergoes several validation procedures before leaving the assembly line. These include battery-sealing inspections, advanced driver-assistance system calibration and heavy-rain simulation testing.

The factory also uses water-recycling systems and low-carbon production technologies as part of the brand’s sustainable manufacturing programme.

Freelander 8 undergoing Middle East testing

Freelander 8 test vehicles are currently being evaluated across desert, coastal and urban environments in the Middle East.

The regional development programme is assessing vehicle performance, thermal management and all-terrain capability under demanding local conditions.

Testing is being conducted in real-world regional driving environments and will support the final preparations for customer deliveries and the Freelander 8’s launch in Abu Dhabi.

The Middle East testing phase follows the start of mass production and represents another important stage in the Freelander 8’s global development programme.

Built around three product pillars

The Freelander 8 has been developed around three core product pillars: British Craftsmanship, Smart Confidence and All-Terrain Freedom.

Described by the company as the next chapter of its “Legend Reborn” strategy, the new model has been developed for the new-energy vehicle era and combines premium design, intelligent technology and all-terrain capability.

Freelander says the vehicle is aimed at what it calls “Freedom Seekers”, with the model positioned as an intelligent premium vehicle capable of handling a range of driving environments.

With mass production underway and Middle East testing in progress, the company is now entering the next stage of its international expansion.