Is this China's answer to the Volkswagen Group? Geely, Polestar, Volvo and Zeekr to operate 'individually' in Australia as they target a broad range of buyers with Tesla Model Y, BYD Seal and BYD Atto 3 rivalling machines

Geely’s roll-out in Australia enters a new phase with the arrival of its Chinese premium arm, Zeekr.

The Chinese giant, which unlike SAIC, GWM or Chery isn’t partially state-owned, has been mysterious about its roll-out plans but local Zeekr managing director, Connel Yan shed some light on how the group will operate in Australia.

When asked if Geely would be coming in to take control of its individual business units under one coordinated umbrella, Yan indicated things were looking to go in another direction.

“Not at all. It’s very clear that we will all be operating individually” he said. “From HQ’s point of view; they understand that they could be potentially cannibalising - so locally we’re proactively reaching out to our sister brands in the hopes of creating win-wins.”

“We believe that Zeekr is strong enough to stand on its own. Mainly, it’s because of the product and the brand positioning difference.”

Smart launch range

Roll out plans for cars wearing a Geely badge are still shrouded in mystery. Despite the company has advertised local jobs, it is unclear when we will see Geely itself launch to the public.

In China the Geely marque effectively is the ‘VW’ equivalent, mainstream vehicles that share their platforms and technology with the more luxurious Volvo, Polestar and Zeekr.

2025 Polestar 3

Models likely to gel with an international audience include the sharply-styled Xingrue sedan, sold as the Preface sedan outside China, and its Xingyue mid-size SUV relation, known as the Monjaro outside of China.

Both are effectively more affordable versions of the Volvo S60 and XC60 respectively, riding on the same Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) and using the same Volvo-developed drivetrains.

2025 Zeekr X

A facelift for the Preface, which arrived in late 2023 introduced a hybrid drivetrain using a 1.5-litre turbo engine paired with a hybrid transmission. It is a technology not offered by Volvo globally in its shift toward full electrification by 2030, offering Geely a point of difference for the Australian market.

The Geely conglomerate will further expand into Australia with the re-launch of Smart before the end of 2024. Smart is a joint-venture between the group and Mercedes-Benz, and Smart has set up a wholly owned subsidiary in Australia and partnered with dealership group LSH Auto.

2025 Riddara RD6

Don’t expect the same stripped-back city cars the brand was known for previously, it's EV-only range will consist of the Smart #1 and #3 that are closer in size to small SUVs.

Geely also looks to import its all-electric Radar RD6 ute to right-hand drive locations, and it has the performance car Lotus brand in Australia.

2024 Geely Preface

Lynk & Co appears to be off the menu in Australia following the launch of Zeekr, though.

2025 Zeekr X