Chery aims to compete in the premium market with a new rollout of six global models

Chery continues to expand its international presence and now aims to establish itself among luxury brands. Its next venture is Luxeed, born from a partnership with Huawei, which is developing a dedicated lineup to capture new markets. This approach features large-sized vehicles, extensive equipment, and various propulsion systems, though there are still key details pending regarding the versions that will be released in China.

The project includes six models across three families. The first to arrive will be the RX (Stormax in some markets), a sporty-oriented SUV, and the LLounge, a large minivan. Additional four SUVs will follow, temporarily labeled as models 3, 5, 7, and 9, with a focus on luxury and comfort.

These features are not available in Chery’s current lineup, so the available information suggests they are being developed specifically for international markets. The brand plans to offer three propulsion options, likely an electric vehicle (BEV), a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV). It has not yet been confirmed which configurations each model will have, with more details expected in 2027.

Australia will be one of the first destinations for this expansion, with LLounge set to launch in mid-2027 and Stormax following later. There is also an important detail: according to reports from local media, the Australian models will omit the Huawei technology used in China. Therefore, it should not be assumed that all the equipment from the Chinese versions will also be available in export models. The information provided does not specify a launch date for Spain either.

Stormax and LLounge: two very different approaches to entering the luxury market

The Luxeed Stormax is a five-seater electric F-SUV with unusual proportions. It measures 5.02 meters in length, 2.01 meters in width, and just 1.59 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 3.00 meters. Its long, wide, and low body style reflects its sporty orientation and sets it apart from more conventional family SUVs.

The Chinese versions are equipped with 20 or 22 inch wheels, featuring tires of different widths: 255 mm at the front and 275 mm at the rear. At the back, a striking lighting setup stands out, comprising around 10,000 glass-like elements arranged irregularly. This is one of the details through which the brand aims to establish its own identity within an increasingly crowded category.

Inside, one of the most striking features is the front seats, which are equipped with 98 sensors and 27 air chambers. The system adjusts support based on the occupant’s posture and driving conditions, including active side support. The trunk offers 622 liters of space, with an additional 30 liters in a hidden compartment, and it features hands-free opening through a function called “Knock Knock.”

The entry-level version of the Chinese RX uses a rear-mounted engine with 277 kW (377 hp). A higher-end variant features two engines and all-wheel drive, delivering 437 kW (594 hp). These figures apply to the model sold in China and serve as a reference, but we’ll have to wait for the official specifications for each market to determine the configuration of the international Stormax.

The range includes an 81 kWh battery pack using LFP chemistry and another 100 kWh pack using ternary chemistry. The maximum range claimed is 852 km under the CLTC cycle, which, according to our estimates, would translate to between 609 and 741 km under the WLTP cycle. Regarding charging, the brand claims a 15-minute charge from 30% to 80%, a different range from the typical 10%-80% used in many European comparisons.

But the key differentiator of the RX is its autonomous driving system developed by Huawei. This system consists of a set of four LiDAR sensors and a total of 38 perception sensors. Huawei emphasizes redundancies in eight areas: perception, calculation, braking, steering, communications, power supply, positioning, and interaction. In other words, it features backup systems for essential functions to ensure operation in any situation. This technical foundation is one of the main strengths of the RX, enabling it to reach Level 3 autonomy, which is one step ahead of Tesla’s or Xpeng’s offerings.

Luxeed LLounge

The Luxeed LLounge, known as V9 in China, takes a different approach. It is a minivan measuring 5.36 meters in length, 2.01 meters in width, and 1.88 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 3.25 meters. Its interior offers seven seats arranged in a 2+2+3 configuration, including two separate seats in the second row.

Among the features announced for the Chinese model are head airbags for the seats in the second row, a sound system with 25 speakers, and an 896-line LiDAR sensor. It also features dual-chamber air suspension and rear-wheel steering, two particularly interesting features designed to enhance comfort and improve maneuverability in a vehicle of this size.

Its powertrain is electric with an extended range option. The rear-wheel-drive version features an electric motor producing 227 kW (309 HP), while the all-wheel-drive version with two motors delivers 382 kW (519 HP). A 1.5-liter gasoline engine producing 115 kW (156 HP) acts as a generator to supply power to the system.

The NMC battery has a capacity of 53.4 kWh, offering an electric range of 285 to 305 km according to CLTC standards; our estimate is around 248 to 265 km under WLTP conditions. Again, this is an approximation, not an official European certification figure. The exact charging specifications and possible differences in equipment across markets remain to be determined.

Luxeed has already identified its first two international models: an electric SUV focused on performance and a minivan emphasizing space and comfort. The next step is to prove it can bring these models to markets outside China with competitive prices, a proper support network, and specifications that retain the appeal of their original versions.

Will they make it to Europe? Given the importance of the European market, especially Spain’s, for Chery, it’s highly likely we’ll see these two models on our roads by 2027. What remains to be determined is their pricing in our market, and whether the RX will also offer level 3 autonomous driving capabilities here.