Chery will launch its premium Exlantix brand in Australia in the first half of 2027, with the ES GT shooting brake and ET SUV leading the rollout. Right-hand drive versions of both models were shown to CarExpert in Shanghai, and Chery will handle the Australian introduction directly rather than through a third-party distributor.
The brand operates as Exeed in other markets, but trademark restrictions mean Australian and New Zealand buyers will know it as Exlantix. Exeed International CEO Lilian Xiong confirmed the plans and the naming decision in an interview with CarExpert at the event.
Why Exlantix, not Exeed
The Exlantix name is not a new creation for Australia. It is the identity Chery already uses for its premium electric vehicle lineup in overseas markets where the Exeed name is unavailable.
Xiong said the company could not register the Exeed name in certain markets, including Australia, and would use Exlantix instead. She did not identify the specific trademark conflict behind the decision. The Exeed name is similar to Kia's XCeed model name used in Europe, while Mitsubishi uses Exceed as a grade designation in Australia.
Asked whether Exeed and Exlantix would arrive as separate brands, Xiong was clear: "It is one brand," she told CarExpert.
Positioning against Zeekr and Denza
The Australian introduction will take Chery further upmarket. Xiong indicated Exlantix would occupy broadly similar territory to other premium Chinese brands, and broadly agreed when asked whether Zeekr and Denza were representative of its intended competitors, while cautioning that precise positioning would depend on pricing.
Australian prices and detailed variant line-ups were not disclosed during the interview.
Powertrains and specifications remain unconfirmed
Xiong indicated electric and hybrid vehicles would form part of the Australian offering, but the exact powertrain choices for each model remain to be confirmed.
The existing overseas ET range includes both battery-electric and range-extender versions. The latter uses a petrol engine to generate electricity, reducing reliance on external charging. However, those overseas offerings do not establish the specifications of the new Australian-market ET.
What powertrains Australian cars will get, and what range they will offer, has not been announced. Chery has not confirmed battery sizes, electric range figures, charging rates or whether the range-extender option will be offered locally.
A long-held ambition
CarExpert reported in March 2024 that Chery Australia's managing director Lucas Harris would personally like to see Exeed vehicles sold locally. The confirmation of Exlantix for 2027 turns that ambition into a concrete plan, though the brand still has to establish pricing, variant line-ups and local specification before it can compete with the premium Chinese brands it names as rivals.
