Tag Archives: Geely

Geely Aims Big: 10 New Electrified Models Coming to the UK by 2030

Chinese automotive giant Geely is officially planting its flag in Britain. The company behind Volvo, Lotus, Polestar, and LEVC has confirmed plans to launch 10 new electrified models in the UK by 2030, targeting the meat of the market—hatchbacks and crossovers—with a heavy emphasis on value and accessibility.

The EX5 Leads the Charge

The rollout begins with the EX5, a 4.6-meter-long electric SUV designed to take on the Skoda Enyaq, Ford Explorer, and Tesla Model Y—but at a lower price. Priced from £31,990 to £36,990, the EX5 undercuts most of its rivals while offering a respectable spec: a 215-hp single front motor, a 60-kWh battery, and a claimed range of 257 miles.

It’s a straightforward formula—affordable, practical, and electric—but Geely’s betting that British buyers will find the brand’s combination of value and global pedigree hard to ignore.

Discounts Stack Up

In a smart bit of timing, Geely is rolling out its own “grant” to mirror the UK’s new Electric Car Grant (ECG) for sub-£37k EVs. The brand is offering up to £3750 off the EX5 Max, plus a £1000 part-exchange allowance for any petrol or diesel car. Factor in a £500 subsidy for an Andersen home charger or a public charging credit, and the potential total discount rises to £4750—making the EX5 Max effectively a £32,000 EV.

That’s squarely in MG4 territory, but with a bigger footprint and a premium badge lineage.

“We provide extraordinary value for the customers,” said Michael Yang, Geely’s UK boss. “We think these customers deserve this, because they believe in us—they believe in the new brand and they believe in the new products.”

Yang added that profitability remains a priority. “We’ll keep a proper profit,” he noted, hinting that the brand’s long-term sustainability won’t rely solely on deep discounts.

A Fast-Expanding Lineup

By the end of next year, Geely plans to have four models on sale in the UK—two plug-in hybrids and another EV to accompany the EX5. Six more will follow before 2030, creating a multi-segment range covering the B-, C-, D-, and E-segments with both crossovers and hatchbacks.

Some of these cars already exist in China under the Geely or Galaxy sub-brands (the latter can’t be used in the UK due to Ford’s trademark), while others are new global models in development.

Lotus DNA, British Input

To make sure the EX5 drives like it belongs on UK roads, Geely turned to Lotus—its in-house performance brand—for chassis tuning. The goal: tailor suspension calibration for British tarmac and carry that tuning philosophy across the lineup.

The collaboration not only adds credibility but also shortens future development cycles. In short, Lotus know-how is helping Geely cars feel more “European” straight out of the box.

From Taxis to Family Cars

Interestingly, the EX5 was once destined to wear an LEVC badge—part of an earlier plan to evolve the Coventry-based taxi maker into a passenger car brand. That idea was scrapped after extensive focus groups, where over 1,400 participants reportedly agreed that LEVC’s taxi heritage clashed with the image of a family-oriented EV.

“Most customers, dealers, and fleet partners believed LEVC has its heritage in the taxi, and Geely is the right option for family customers,” said Yang. “We listened to the voice of the market.”

Looking Local

Geely’s UK operation could gain a further edge if it secures access to the Electric Car Grant, a move that would make it the first Chinese manufacturer to do so. Yang says talks are ongoing with the UK government, emphasizing the brand’s local engineering presence—including design studios, R&D centres, and manufacturing ties through Lotus and LEVC.

While European production isn’t on the immediate horizon, Yang admitted it could be “a solution, not a target,” if trade tensions or tariffs make it necessary.

A Strategic Entry Point

In Geely’s massive global portfolio, the UK brand will sit as the entry point—the value-focused arm in a lineup that stretches from budget EVs to Lotus supercars. The strategy feels deliberate: win hearts with affordability and familiarity first, then expand into higher-end segments as credibility builds.

And with an aggressive pricing structure, a credible technical base, and a head start on European localization, Geely’s British adventure might just be the most calculated move yet by a Chinese automaker.

Source: Autocar; Photo: Geely

Geely Auto Achieves Milestone in Global AI Vehicle Safety Standards

Geely Auto has made industry history by becoming the world’s first automaker to receive ISO/PAS 8800 certification—an international benchmark for artificial intelligence safety in road vehicles. The certification, awarded by Germany’s DAkkS (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle), underscores the Chinese auto giant’s leadership in both engineering excellence and next-generation vehicle safety.

This achievement places Geely at the forefront of a global movement to redefine safety in the age of intelligent mobility. The ISO/PAS 8800 standard, released in December 2024 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), is the first globally recognized framework to address the safety of AI systems across the entire vehicle lifecycle. It marks a major shift from traditional compliance-based approaches to a holistic, end-to-end safety model.

DAkkS, Germany’s national accreditation body and a prominent member of both the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), certified Geely’s adherence to three key areas of international safety standards: functional safety, expected functional safety, and AI safety. The certification confirms that Geely’s development processes, safety governance, and AI system designs meet the highest global standards.

Building a Safety Ecosystem for the AI Era

Geely’s approach goes beyond ticking boxes for compliance. Through strategic partnerships and sustained R&D investment, the company is building a comprehensive AI safety system encompassing everything from core functions and embedded software to chips, hardware, and the entire supply chain. This end-to-end framework was validated through an EU SGS audit, culminating in formal recognition from DAkkS.

“Safety has always been a cornerstone of our manufacturing philosophy,” a Geely spokesperson stated. “Achieving ISO/PAS 8800 certification is a testament to our vision of intelligent mobility that doesn’t compromise on protection.”

That vision is backed by substance: according to the China Automotive Technology and Research Center, Geely holds 1,562 patents related to vehicle safety technologies. This new certification adds to the company’s impressive portfolio, which already includes dual ISO 26262 functional safety certifications from DAkkS and ANAB (U.S.), as well as ISO 21448 certification for expected functional safety from ANAB.

Engineering a Culture of Safety

While the certification is a milestone, Geely views it as a starting point—not an endpoint. The automaker is rolling out specialized technical training programs across its engineering teams to ensure deep-rooted understanding and integration of AI safety principles. These programs cover AI lifecycle management, data governance, and safety requirement analysis, effectively embedding the standard into every layer of product development.

As AI continues to redefine the driving experience, the industry faces mounting pressure to ensure smart features don’t compromise driver or pedestrian safety. With this certification, Geely has taken a definitive step toward ensuring that intelligent systems are not only high-performing, but secure by design.

A New Standard for the Industry?

Geely’s success in securing ISO/PAS 8800 certification may set a precedent for other automakers, especially as regulatory bodies and consumers alike demand greater transparency and accountability in automotive AI systems. The move may also help China’s automotive sector position itself more competitively in global markets, particularly Europe.

In an industry rapidly transitioning toward autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles, Geely’s achievement demonstrates that safety need not be a casualty of innovation—instead, it can be its foundation.

Source: Geely Auto

Polestar to Build Upcoming Polestar 7 SUV in Europe Through Volvo Partnership

In a strategic move to broaden its global manufacturing network, Polestar has announced plans to produce its upcoming Polestar 7 at Volvo Cars’ new factory in Košice, Slovakia, marking the brand’s first contract manufacturing venture in Europe. The decision aligns with Polestar’s long-term strategy to deepen collaboration within the Geely Holding Group, leveraging advanced shared technology and production capabilities.

The premium compact SUV, Polestar 7, is slated for launch in 2028 and will be built using Volvo’s technology base, drawing on next-generation cell-to-body battery technology, in-house developed electric motors, and a shared component architecture from within the group. This partnership is expected to yield both performance and cost-efficiency benefits, while maintaining the distinctive design language and dynamic driving experience Polestar is known for.

Michael Lohscheller, CEO of Polestar, emphasized the importance of this collaboration:

“Working with Volvo Cars to develop and manufacture Polestar 7 in Europe is a unique opportunity that will strengthen our position in our home market. Our strategy of utilizing Group architectures as the base for our future model line-up gives us access to the best, latest technologies, in a cost-efficient manner.”

Polestar 7 represents the brand’s latest step in redefining the premium electric SUV category, building on the success of its previous models while embracing cutting-edge innovation from within the Geely-Volvo ecosystem.

Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, added:

“Our collaboration with Polestar on the development and manufacturing of the Polestar 7 underscores how Volvo Cars and Polestar continue to leverage synergies to efficiently deliver outstanding vehicles built for our distinct customer segments.”

Volvo Cars began construction of the Košice plant in 2023, strategically chosen for its strong supply chain infrastructure and proximity to key European markets. Once operational, the factory will serve as a critical hub for Polestar’s European ambitions, reinforcing the brand’s presence in a highly competitive segment.

As the automotive world watches the evolution of premium EVs, the Polestar 7 looks poised to make a significant impact, combining Scandinavian design, sustainable innovation, and precision European manufacturing.

Source: Polestar