Geely plans 10 new models in the next three years
Chinese manufacturing giant plots range of electric and plug-in hybrid SUVs and small cars...
Geely will launch a 10 new cars in the UK in the coming three years.
A range of SUVs will spearhead the product offensive, and will be accompanied by a number of small and family cars. These will be a blend of electric cars and plug-in hybrids.
Speaking at the brand’s launch event, Geely's UK boss Mike Yang explained that the UK operation has the ability to select from the 30-strong model line-up sold under the Geely and Galaxy brands in China, enabling the firm to launch models here quickly. But he confirmed the Galaxy name won’t make it to Europe, as Ford owns the rights.
The firm’s first model for UK shores, the Geely EX5 electric SUV, will be delivered to customers in the coming weeks. That will be followed by two plug-in hybrids and another electric car by the end of 2026. Yang said Geely plans a model in “every major segment, with a focus on SUVs [of all sizes], and hatchbacks in the B and C segments” - meaning models similar in size to the Vauxhall Corsa Electric and the larger Volkswagen ID 3.
A small plug-in hybrid model could arrive in 2027.
Yang also said that utilising chassis underpinnings efficiently could cut the time taken to bring new models to market to as little as 18 months - around half the time normally taken. While unconfirmed, that could open the door to models produced specifically for the European market.
Geely has also leveraged the engineering expertise of Lotus - which it owns, alongside Polestar and Volvo - to engineer its cars for UK tastes, and to better deal with the country’s poor road health. Geely will be able to apply the learnings across new models, reducing the amount of time Lotus’s engineers will require to hone the car’s driving manners.
Yang said that value for money is a core part of Geely’s offering for UK buyers. While the firm is still in discussions with the government regarding eligibility for the Electric Car Grant, it has launched its own self-funded grant scheme, effectively discounting the EX5 by between £2300 and £3750. That’s in addition to an extra £1000 part-exchange for buyers moving out of a petrol or diesel car, and the choice of a heavily discounted Anderson home EV charger for £499 or £500 worth of free public charging.
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