Lepas, a Chinese brand, will focus on affordable compact cars to compete with Fiat and Volkswagen in Brazil By Jeronimo Santos
3 min read
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The Chinese brand Lepas, part of the Chery International Group and with operations under the management of Omoda Jaecoo in Brazil, outlines an ambitious expansion plan for the national market. The company’s strategy directly targets the compact and entry-level vehicle segment, intensifying competition with automakers already established in the country.
In a recent interview, Shane Wang, general manager of Lepas’ Brazilian operation, detailed that the brand plans to launch 11 new models globally over the next two years. He clarified that not all of these vehicles will be introduced in Brazil, although he considers the country to be one of the main markets, but some models would not suit local needs.
Although the exact number of vehicles destined for the Brazilian market was not disclosed by the executive, other important information about Lepas’ growth strategy in the country was shared.
Wang stated that Lepas intends to develop smaller cars to expand its presence in the compact and entry-level car segments in Brazil. This movement indicates a strong intention to compete in high-volume sales categories.
With this move, Lepas seeks to rival not only other Chinese brands that already operate in Brazil, such as BYD, GWM, Geely, and the “sisters” Omoda Jaecoo and Jetour. The main objective is to enter one of the most competitive segments, confronting traditional manufacturers such as Fiat and Volkswagen.
Lepas’ compact vehicles are still in the development phase and do not have a defined launch date. Despite this, expectations are considerable. Wang expressed confidence, saying, “I’ve already seen the model. It’s very beautiful and very, very suitable for the Brazilian consumer. It will be a game changer, believe me.”
It is possible to project that Lepas’ future compacts could include SUVs, competing with models such as the Volkswagen T-Cross and Hyundai Creta, or hybrid and electric versions, such as the BYD Atto 2 and the GWM Ora 5. There is also the possibility of hatches, facing both electric, such as Dolphin and EX2, and combustion, such as i20, Onix, Polo and the future Argo X.
As the models have not yet been officially presented, illustrative images were created using artificial intelligence, based on the larger SUVs Lepas L6 and L8, which have already been confirmed for launch in Brazil.
Flex-fuel engines: what to expect from Lepas cars in Brazil
In addition to confirming new compact cars, Shane Wang assured that all Lepas vehicles sold in Brazil will have flex-fuel engines. The development of this technology is already underway. This scenario suggests a likely collaboration with other companies in the Chery International Group, as Omoda Jaecoo has already confirmed the launch of a flex hybrid system in Brazil in 2027.
In other markets, Lepas already offers SUVs equipped with a combustion engine. One of the engines used is the well-known 1.5 turbo from the Acteco family, currently present in Caoa Chery vehicles, such as the Tiggo 5X and Tiggo 7, which are sold in Brazil.
This familiarity with the technology indicates that the path towards developing flex engines for the Brazilian market already has a solid foundation. However, it is important to note that Caoa Chery and the group’s international brands act as separate entities and even as competitors.
The possibility of national production for Lepas in Brazil
To ensure its competitiveness in the Brazilian automotive scene, local production is a determining factor for Lepas. However, the subject of installing a factory remains extremely confidential within the company, despite other commercial plans having already been revealed. Currently, the information available is that Omoda Jaecoo is in negotiations to take over the Jaguar Land Rover unit in Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro.
In the field of speculation, executives from Chinese brands linked to Chery’s international arm considered joint production as a viable alternative. This strategy would aim to optimize costs and gain scale in manufacturing.
Omoda Jaecoo itself has already announced that it is developing new compact cars, which will be known as Omoda 2 and Jaecoo 3. It is plausible to imagine that these models could share platforms and mechanical sets with Lepas’ future compact vehicles, consolidating a synergy within the group.
