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Live News • May 06
Chery Launches LEPAS and iCAUR to Expand Global Premium EV Presence Chery Group’s new premium NEV brand LEPAS has kicked off its “Year of Delivery,” unveiling a portfolio that includes the L6 EV, L4 EV and L6 PHEV, with plans for 10 NEV models over the next three years.
LEPAS has made a high-profile European debut at Milano Design Week, showcasing its LEX Intelligent New Energy Platform and multiple flagship models, while signing distribution and partnership agreements across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
iCAUR, another premium electric brand owned by Chery Automobile, is entering Europe with a rugged, “Urban Outdoor” EV lineup and hosting the 2026 International Business Summit to introduce its products to media, partners and users.
For you as an investor, these updates point to Chery leaning heavily into premium electric segments through distinct brands and product platforms. LEPAS is positioned around design, user experience and global reach, while iCAUR targets a more off-road, lifestyle-focused customer. The simultaneous push into Europe and multiple other regions suggests Chery is working to widen its international footprint for higher-end NEVs rather than relying solely on mass-market segments.
The “Year of Delivery” theme and the Wuhu partner conference, which brought in over 500 distributors and strategic partners from nearly 20 countries, indicate that Chery is concentrating not just on product launches but also on building out sales channels and after-sales support. Readers may want to watch how quickly these new brands gain dealer coverage, regulatory approvals in key markets, and third-party reviews, as these factors can influence how effectively Chery converts its expanded NEV portfolio into actual global volumes over time. Announcement • Apr 30
Omoda&Jaecoo Announces Global Debut of VPD Technology OMODA&JAECOO VPD (Valet Parking Driver) technology made its global debut on April 26. Parking is often the most frustrating part of a young person’s daily commute: circling endlessly in a mall garage, hunting for car after a music festival, or braving scorching sun or pouring rain just to retrieve vehicle. Just like a powerful hack in a video game that lets breeze through difficult levels, VPD gives users two core superpowers: 'Leave When Waved' and 'Come When Called.' With 'Leave When Waved,' users get out and walk away, and the vehicle automatically finds a parking spot and parks precisely. With 'Come When Called,' users summon the vehicle with a single tap, and it autonomously drives out of its parking space and arrives at the designated pickup point. VPD Rainy-Day Scenario Theater was set up at the launch event. The stage recreated the everyday pain point of young people struggling to retrieve their cars in a downpour: heavy rain pouring down, and the user simply issues a command via the mobile app. The vehicle, unaffected by the rainy conditions, smoothly and autonomously drives onto the stage, demonstrating the complete process – remote summoning, and autonomous parking – without any human intervention. After the demonstration, the vehicle autonomously leaves the stage and precisely returns to its original position. VPD is intended for use only in enclosed parking lots and is strictly prohibited on public roads. While using this feature, please remain continuously aware of surroundings and be ready to take over control of the vehicle when necessary. VPD functionality is expected to launch first in the Middle East in August 2026, followed by Southeast Asian markets such as Thailand and Indonesia. In the Middle East, where summer surface temperatures often exceed 50°C, the 'Come When Called' feature allows users to wait for their vehicle in a cool, indoor environment, avoiding exposure to the scorching sun. In rain-prone Southeast Asia, 'Leave When Waved' lets users alight at sheltered spots such as mall entrances while the vehicle finds a parking space on its own. For the notoriously narrow underground parking spaces in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and the complex, narrow roads and scarce standard parking spots in older districts of Thailand and Indonesia, VPD's extreme parking capability turns 'dare not park' into a thing of the past. Announcement • Apr 27
Chery Group’S Icaur Demonstrates Robox Concept Car and Right-Hand-Drive V27 Chery Group’s iCAUR presented two major highlights: the ROBOX concept car and the right-hand-drive (RHD) version of the V27. The ROBOX concept car represents iCAUR’s exploration of future mobility. Named from a combination of “ROBOT” and “BOX,” it adopts a future-classic design philosophy, combining timeless proportions with forward-looking design elements. It introduces a new design language that merges a streamlined OneBox silhouette with a high-clearance structure, balancing aerodynamic efficiency with off-road capability. Distinctive features such as split round and rectangular lighting, clean modular surfaces, and a reimagined cabin space create a clear technological identity. Alongside it, the right-hand-drive V27 reflects iCAUR’s ongoing global expansion. The left-hand-drive version of the V27, positioned as a new energy boxy vehicle with classic design, has already gained strong market response in China and the Middle East. Its combination of distinctive styling and practical capability has contributed to its growing recognition among users in these markets. Developed as a global model, the V27 meets five-star safety standards in both China and Europe while adapting to the requirements of right-hand-drive markets. Its introduction supports the brand’s expansion across Southeast Asia and Oceania, where diverse driving environments and user needs require localized solutions. The model reflects iCAUR’s ability to translate global standards into practical, market-relevant products. At the same time, reflecting the idea that each iCAUR is unique, the second season of the iCAUR Player Carnival invites users worldwide to participate in co-creation through vehicle customization projects, with selected works to be showcased at the SEMA Show. A wide range of customized versions of the V23 and V27 will also be displayed at the booth, highlighting the brand’s approach to personalization and user-driven design. At the exhibition booth, the AIMOGA robot was featured as an interactive element, demonstrating iCAUR’s exploration of intelligent technologies beyond the vehicle. Through real-time interaction and scenario-based applications, it reflects the integration of mobility, AI, and user experience. 
