Chery's Luxeed luxury brand confirmed for Australia in 2027, led by LLounge people mover

Confirmation at the global launch in China

Chery's Australian expansion will add another luxury brand, with Luxeed expected to arrive in the second quarter of 2027, led by a large people mover. Shawn Xu, CEO of Omoda & Jaecoo International, confirmed the Australian plans to local media at Luxeed's global launch in Wuhu, China, on October 21, as reported by CarExpert. The first model will be the Luxeed LLounge people mover, followed by the Luxeed Stormax electric SUV, for which a local arrival date has yet to be announced. ¹

Torque Cafe also reported the announcement, noting Chery plans to launch Luxeed in Australia from mid-2027 with the LLounge people mover and the Stormax electric SUV as the early models. The confirmation comes just days after Chery confirmed its separate premium brand Exlantix for a local launch. ¹²

Where Luxeed fits in Chery's Australian plans

Luxeed and Exlantix join Freelander, iCaur and Jetour on the list of Chery Group brands preparing to enter Australia, with Lepas due before the end of 2026. These brands will sit alongside the existing Chery and Omoda Jaecoo operations, as CarExpert reported from China. Chery will handle the Exlantix rollout directly, with Exlantix expected in the first half of 2027 led by the ES GT shooting brake and the new ET SUV. ¹⁴

Torque Cafe counted Luxeed as Chery's eighth Australian brand and Jetour as the ninth, noting that by the end of 2027 more than 70 new-car brands are predicted to be operating in Australia. It observed this would give Chery, which owns all nine marques globally, an edge over Stellantis, which currently has eight of its marques in Australia. ²

Chery International president Zhang Guibing told CarExpert in China that slow technology adoption by established luxury brands creates an opening for Chinese newcomers. Too many premium brands still keep internal combustion as the main powertrain, he said, arguing that high-level customers are more willing to try new technologies and that a newcomer offering only the same technology would struggle to stand out. ³

LLounge people mover: Chinese-market details

The LLounge is the export counterpart to China's Luxeed V9. In Chinese specification the people mover measures 5359mm long and 2009mm wide with a 3250mm wheelbase, making it 204mm longer than a Kia Carnival with 160mm more distance between its axles, according to CarExpert's reporting of the Chinese-market vehicle. ¹

Chinese V9s have seven seats in a 2+2+3 layout and a range-extended electric (EREV) powertrain, in which a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine acts as a generator for a 53.4kWh battery while electric motors drive the wheels. Luxeed claims up to 305km of electric-only range and 1320km with a full battery and fuel tank for the rear-drive model, falling to 285km and 1230km for all-wheel-drive versions. CarExpert notes these are Chinese CLTC test-cycle figures rather than Australian-certified ranges and cannot be directly compared with the WLTP figures quoted for many local EVs. ¹

The people mover features dual-chamber air suspension, adaptive dampers and rear-wheel steering of up to seven degrees. Luxury equipment includes second-row reclining captain's chairs with massage, powered leg rests and separate electric footrests, Nappa leather upholstery and a 33-speaker sound system. ¹

Stormax electric SUV performance claims

The Stormax, sold in China as the RX, is the performance-focused second model. CarExpert reports it features an 800V electric architecture and dual-motor all-wheel drive with claimed total outputs of 460kW and 775Nm, a claimed 0-100km/h time of less than 3.9 seconds, a top speed exceeding 250km/h, six-piston brakes and a claimed 100-0km/h stopping distance of less than 34 metres. These are manufacturer claims from the Chinese-market vehicle; Australian specification has not been detailed. ¹

For context, CarExpert notes the Australian-market Zeekr 7X Performance produces 475kW and 710Nm with a claimed 3.8-second sprint time. No Australian pricing for Luxeed has been announced; overseas specifications and prices cannot be assumed to carry over. ¹

No Huawei technology for export models

Luxeed's export push will involve significant technical changes from its Chinese range. Although the brand was developed through a partnership between Chery and Huawei, international vehicles will not carry the technology company's hardware or software. CarExpert, quoting comments by Mr Xu reported by Inside China Auto, cites him saying: For international, Luxeed is not related to Huawei. There is nothing, including the hardware and the software. This matters for buyers researching the Chinese models, whose Huawei-branded infotainment and driver assistance systems are not a guide to what Australia will receive. ¹

The competitive landscape it enters

Luxeed enters territory already occupied by Chinese luxury newcomers Denza and Zeekr, as CarExpert notes. The battery-electric Denza D9 is sold in Australia from $85,990 before on-road costs, rising to $95,990 for all-wheel drive, while the electric Zeekr 009 starts at $115,900 before on-road costs for the seven-seat front-wheel drive model, rising to $135,900 and $139,900 for the seven-seat all-wheel drive and six-seat flagship respectively. ¹

The premium people mover segment is small: CarExpert reports Australians bought around 15,000 people movers in 2025, with the more affordable Kia Carnival alone accounting for 10,948 sales. Among Chinese premium brands already on sale, CarExpert cites September delivery figures of 2050 for Zeekr and 385 for Denza, against 2152 for BMW, 951 for Lexus and 66 for Genesis in the same month. Established brands are not standing still on technology, with the BMW iX3 50 xDrive offering an 800V system, a claimed WLTP range of up to 805km and up to 400kW DC charging. ³

Exlantix will use its existing identity in Australia rather than the Exeed name used elsewhere, because trademark restrictions prevent registration of Exeed in certain markets including Australia, Exeed International CEO Lilian Xiong told CarExpert in Shanghai. She confirmed Exlantix will offer both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles locally, with exact powertrain choices per model still to be confirmed, and that the broader Exeed business has 560,000 customers across more than 40 countries. ⁴