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In an announcement which has been a long time coming and will shock very few, Geely has officially confirmed its entry to the Australian market.
The Chinese giant, which owns Volvo, Polstar, Zeekr, Lotus, and a joint-venture with Mercedes in Smart, has been hiring in Australia and setting up operations for some time.
It will be one of more than ten new players to enter our market by 2025. Unlike MG or Chery, Geely is not state-owned and is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
Geely’s debut model will be the EX5, a new mid-size SUV developed for global markets from the ground up. It rides on the brand’s GEA architecture (a derivative of the EV-only SEA platform used by the Volvo EX30, Smart #1 and Zeekr X), and uses a new-generation lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
The brand promises the EX5 will bring a spacious interior, ‘superior’ driving dynamics and energy efficiency, as well as a better ride than rivals. At 4615mm long, 1901mm wide and 1670mm tall with a wheelbase of 2750 it is a size-up from the BYD Atto 3 or Smart #3, about the same size as Kia’s incoming EV5 and a few millimetres smaller in every dimension than Tesla’s Model Y.
While local specs are yet to be confirmed, the EX5 is offered in its China home market with either a 49.52kWh or 60.22kWh battery pack with driving range coming in at 440km or 530km, respectively, on the more lenient CLTC cycle.
Overseas specs have the EX5 producing 160kW/320Nm from a single front-mounted electric motor, allowing it to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds, with a top-speed of 180km/h. Its CLTC energy efficiency is as low as 11.9kWh/100km which would make it one of the most efficient EVs in its class.
The EX5 has a claimed DC fast-charge time of 20 minutes from 30 - 80 per cent, while boot space is 461 litres with the second row up. The interior features a 15.4-inch multimedia touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. High grades can also be equipped with a head-up display, while Chinese versions have vehicle-to-load capability.
Upper trims of the EX5 can be equipped with the expected active safety equipment like auto emergency braking, lane keep assist and blind spot monitoring. However, the EX5 has just six airbags in its home market.
The EX5 is one of three new Geely models revealed for a global audience along with the E8 sedan and Xingyuan compact SUV. Interestingly, the EX5 and E8 both belong to Geely’s EV-only Galaxy brand in its home market.
It is unclear whether the brand will expand to include its core range of combustion and hybrid cars under its Geely Auto brand, which makes use of the Volvo-developed CMA architecture found under the XC40 and S60.
Such models include the intriguing Xingrue sedan and Xingyue mid-size SUV which can be equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, 1.5-litre four-cylinder plugless hybrid or 1.0-litre three-cylinder plug-in hybrid petrol drivetrains.
With the announcement of Geely Auto’s arrival in Australia the brands footprint ultimately expands, now including Volvo, Polestar, Smart, and Lotus. The company also recently announced it will build its electric RD6 ute in right-hand drive, making it also likely for Australia in the near future.
However, Zeekr boss Connel Yan explained to CarsGuide that Geely’s expansion into Australia wouldn’t mean each of its divisions would be united in its business operations or even parts distribution in contrast to Volkswagen Group (which controls the VW, Skoda, Audi, Cupra and Bentley brands).
Instead, each brand will operate individually, although the group’s marques will employ at least some sort of strategy in order not to cannibalise each other’s ranges and create “win-wins”.
Geely Auto will face a tough new car market in Australia in 2025, which has expanded to include other newcomer brands like Xpeng, GAC, Leapmotor, and Skywell, alongside existing challenger brands like BYD and Chery. Stay tuned for more details on this Chinese giant's roll-out plans.
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