Another Chinese car brand has arrived in the UAE, and this one is trying to win buyers on style rather than price alone. LEPAS has officially entered the market with Al Ghurair Mobility as its exclusive distributor, opening with showrooms in Deira and Sharjah and a service centre in Al Quoz.
LEPAS is one of the newer labels from China’s Chery Group, which already competes in the region through Chery itself as well as Jetour, Omoda and Jaecoo. Its pitch is design-led premium SUVs, built around what the brand calls its Leopard Aesthetics design language. That puts it in a crowded fight against BYD, Geely and a growing list of Chinese newcomers, all chasing UAE buyers who no longer automatically shop Japanese or Korean.
The headline model is the L8, a flagship SUV offered in two versions. The L8 Super Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid that the company says can cover up to 1,300 km on a full tank and full charge. That figure comes from the brand and will depend heavily on driving style and the region’s summer heat, but long range is a sensible priority in a country where Dubai-to-Abu Dhabi commutes and cross-emirate road trips are routine. The L8 ICE keeps the same styling and driver-assistance features with a conventional petrol powertrain, which may suit buyers still unsure about plugging in.
Both L8 variants come with a Level 2 driver-assistance suite that LEPAS says includes more than 20 functions, along with automated parking. Level 2 means the car can help with steering, braking and acceleration, but the driver has to stay fully in control.
The smaller L4 uses a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine paired with a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, plus a 13.2-inch central screen, ventilated seats and its own driver-assistance package. A mid-size L6, offered in hybrid and petrol forms, is due in 2027.
Notably missing from the launch is pricing. Without it, it’s hard to judge where LEPAS actually sits against rivals, or whether “premium” means real luxury competition or simply a step above budget Chinese brands. Offers and test drives are being handled through the brand’s UAE website and showrooms.
