At one point the Freelander was Europe's best selling four wheel drive, selling over 500,000 units during a 9 year production run for the original model. After an 18 year production run, over two generations however, the Freelander was replaced by the Evoque and Discovery Sport models in the overall Land Rover range.

After an announcement yesterday, Jaguar Land Rover are looking to bring the Freelander name back to the roads in as a brand in it's own right specialising in EV models. This will be done by the expansion of the agreement between JLR and long term partner Chery. Initially these models will be launched for the Chinese market, but JLR hope to bring the range to the global market to support the overall EV market place. No specific timelines have been set for the brand's expansion, so it's unknow when the Freelander will be expected in the UK. When it does arrive, the range is likely to help JLR in providing an small premium SUV EV that forms a entry point into the brand, in the same way the Evoque, and the original Freelander provided for the ICE range.

What it does bring for JLR is an expansion of their range and helping them transition to a larger EV offering. Currently the extended family of Land Rover only offers ICE or PHEV models. With the waiting list for a Range Rover Electric currently at 38,000 and climbing rapidly, there is clearly demand for EV product from the brand. The Range Rover Electric is set to be debuted later this year, and a launch date is still to be set.