Sibiu/Romania, October 2, 2026 – RBJ – LEPAS, an automotive brand within the Chery Group portfolio, has officially entered the Romanian market with the opening of its first showroom in Sibiu and the launch of the L8 plug-in hybrid SUV. Materom, the brand’s exclusive importer in Romania, plans to expand the dealer network to 12 locations by the end of 2026 and 24 by 2027.
The launch in Romania marks the beginning of a long-term development strategy focused on building a local sales and after-sales service network and adapting the brand experience to the needs of Romanian consumers.
“Romania is an important market in LEPAS’s European development strategy. We aim to work closely with our local importer to bring Romanian consumers new premium mobility options, characterised by distinctive design, user-oriented technology and a high level of comfort, with attention to every detail. The opening of our first showroom in Sibiu and the launch of the L8 mark the beginning of this long-term commitment. In the coming period, we will gradually expand our product range, develop our sales and after-sales service network, and pay particular attention to the opinions and needs of local consumers,” said Hedy Yan, Country Director of LEPAS Romania.
A national network of 24 dealers by 2027
LEPAS is rapidly expanding its presence in Romania, where it currently has eight authorised dealers in Bacău, Brașov, Bucharest, Cluj, Iași, Pitești, Sibiu and Timișoara.
The company aims to reach 12 dealers by the end of 2026 and 24 in 2027, extending its presence across Romania’s main urban centres. The network is expected to gradually cover approximately 80% of the country’s key cities.
The expansion strategy will also be supported by a broader model range. Following the L8, the company is preparing to launch the L6, available in plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions. The L6 will be presented for the first time at the Bucharest Auto Show (SAB).
The manufacturer is subsequently preparing the L4, also planned in plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions. Two additional models are scheduled for the third quarter of 2027 to further expand the range.
The first model available in Romania
The L8 is the first LEPAS model launched on the Romanian market and is positioned in the plug-in hybrid SUV segment. It combines a 1.5-litre combustion engine with electric propulsion and offers a combined driving range of up to 1,040 km and a combined fuel consumption of 2.0 litres/100 km, according to the manufacturer’s WLTP figures. When the battery is depleted, the declared fuel consumption is 6.0 litres/100 km.
The model also prioritises interior space, featuring a 2,800 mm wheelbase and ten-layer “Cloud Comfort” seats. Depending on the version, the front seats offer heating, ventilation and massage functions.
In terms of technology, the L8 incorporates systems such as Automatic Parking Assist (APA), Remote Parking Assist (RPA) and a 540° camera with a “Transparent Chassis” function, providing an extended view of the area surrounding the vehicle. The model also features blind-spot monitoring and automatic high-beam control. To meet European driving conditions, the L8’s chassis has been tuned by a team of European specialists, with the aim of balancing ride comfort and dynamic handling.
In Romania, the L8 is available in Essence and Elegance versions. The announced price for the L8 PHEV is €45,500. The importer is offering a €3,000 launch discount, bringing the current price to €42,500, including VAT. The launch offer also includes customer benefits such as two free scheduled services and a promotional interest rate of 0.99%.
Nearly 2,000 enquiries from potential customers
LEPAS has received nearly 2,000 enquiries from potential customers in Romania to date, while the local team is working to prepare vehicle stocks, expand the dealer network and organise customer deliveries.
Five pillars of the post-purchase customer experience
The development of after-sales services is a key component of the company’s strategy in Romania. Exclusive importer Materom operates a central warehouse for original spare parts in Târgu Mureș and commits to delivery times of up to 24 hours to Romanian dealers for parts available in stock.
The L8 comes with two free scheduled services at 15,000 and 30,000 km. These cover the parts, fluids and labour specified in the maintenance schedule, as well as 16 additional vehicle checks.
The after-sales strategy is built around five pillars: spare parts availability, scheduled servicing and maintenance, a Romanian-language call centre, 24/7 roadside assistance and the LEPAS app.
The app is designed to support everyday interaction with the vehicle and, depending on the available features, allows users to monitor driving range, control the climate system, check vehicle parameters and locate their car.
“For us, entering the Romanian market means more than launching a model; it means building a complete customer experience. That is why network development, spare parts availability, maintenance services and rapid access to support are all part of the same strategy. We want LEPAS’s development in Romania to be built for the long term, together with our partners and the owners of our vehicles,” said Rodica Baciu, Founder and Deputy General Manager of the MATEROM Group.
LEPAS is a mobility brand within the Chery Group portfolio, built around the concept of “Elegant Mobility Life” and three brand pillars: Leopard Aesthetics, Elegant Technology and Exquisite Space. The brand targets consumers who value design, technology and comfort, as well as a balance between professional and personal life.
In Romania, LEPAS is developing its presence in partnership with Materom, the brand’s exclusive importer. The current plan предусматриes 12 dealers in 2026 and 24 in 2027.
MATEROM is a family-owned company with 100% Romanian capital and more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry. The MATEROM Group is one of Romania’s top three automotive parts distributors with Romanian capital. Its activities include the distribution of automotive parts and accessories, as well as authorised car dealerships and service centres. The group’s portfolio includes dealerships for brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Škoda, Toyota, Dacia, Renault, Nissan, KGM, BYD and Geely.
Since 2015, MATEROM has been part of the international Nexus Automotive International alliance and represents the NexusAuto service concept in Romania. The company’s development is based on long-term partnerships with manufacturers, suppliers and customers, alongside professionalism, service quality and integrity.
