The Lepas 8, Chery's new plug-in hybrid SUV, has landed in Barcelona after a complex 17,000 km route involving river barges and five seas. Its arrival marks a new phase in the brand's European ambitions.
The first units of the Lepas 8, Chery's latest plug-in hybrid SUV, have reached Barcelona after a 25-day, 17,000-kilometre journey that highlights the scale and ambition of the Chinese automaker's European expansion. The route, which links the industrial city of Wuhu in China to the port of Barcelona, combines river, ocean, and logistical expertise to bring the new model to Spanish roads.
Production begins at Chery's main facility in Wuhu, located on the banks of the Yangtze River. From there, the Lepas 8 vehicles are loaded onto specialized river barges for a 500-kilometre trip downstream. This initial leg, lasting about two days, navigates the busy Yangtze before reaching the vast port terminals of Shanghai.
Once in Shanghai, the vehicles are transferred to large ocean-going car carriers. The maritime phase covers nearly 16,500 kilometres and takes approximately 25 days. The standard shipping route passes through the East China Sea, then south through the crowded waters of the South China Sea, before entering the Indian Ocean via the strategic Strait of Malacca—a key global shipping chokepoint.
From there, the journey continues across the Arabian Sea and into the Gulf of Aden, before entering the Red Sea. The ships then transit the Suez Canal, a critical link between Asia and Europe, before finally entering the Mediterranean. The last stretch brings the Lepas 8 to the port of Barcelona, the main entry point for the brand in Spain.
The arrival of the Lepas 8 is more than a logistical achievement. Chery aims to position Lepas as a premium, technologically advanced alternative to its Omoda and Jaecoo brands, targeting the competitive plug-in hybrid SUV segment. The model features a plug-in hybrid system combining a petrol engine with a high-density battery, delivering a total of 279 horsepower and an electric range suitable for daily zero-emission driving. The combined range exceeds 1,000 kilometres, making it a practical option for long-distance travel.
Inside, the Lepas 8 is designed with European preferences in mind, offering spaciousness, a fluid exterior design, and advanced onboard technology powered by next-generation processors. The brand is betting on a competitive price to challenge established rivals in the segment.
With the first batch now in Barcelona, Spanish dealerships are preparing for initial customer deliveries. The 17,000-kilometre journey from Wuhu to Barcelona not only demonstrates Chery's logistical and manufacturing capabilities but also signals the start of a significant commercial push in Europe's electrified mobility sector.
For context, China's automotive exports have surged in recent years, with the country now among the world's top vehicle exporters. The use of intermodal transport—combining river, sea, and road—has become essential for efficient global distribution. The Lepas 8's arrival in Spain reflects both the growing presence of Chinese brands in Europe and the evolving landscape of the Spanish car market, where demand for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles continues to rise.
