Image Courtesy: autobuzz.my
In 2025, China's auto industry continued its relentless global rise. BYD solidified its position as the world's largest EV maker (and China's top seller overall with ~4.6 million units), but right behind it sat Geely Auto – the country's clear #2 with over 3.02 million vehicles sold, a stunning 39% year-over-year jump.
Geely isn't just big in China. Through its parent Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, it owns Volvo Cars, Polestar, Lotus, Zeekr, Lynk & Co, and more. In 2025, the broader Geely family produced over 4.1 million vehicles worldwide. The Geely-branded lineup alone delivered the year's best-selling car in China: the compact, affordable Xingyuan EV.
Who Is Geely, Really?
Founded in 1986 as a refrigerator-parts maker, Geely entered the auto business in 1997 and shocked the world by buying Volvo from Ford in 2010. That move gave it instant premium credibility, advanced engineering know-how, and – crucially – a factory in South Carolina that already builds Volvos for North America.
Today Geely's portfolio spans:
- Mainstream Geely – affordable ICE, hybrids, and EVs (like the Xingyuan, Boyue, and Galaxy series)
- Zeekr – premium pure-EV brand (think Tesla rival with faster charging and luxury finishes)
- Lynk & Co – stylish, tech-heavy crossovers and sedans built on Geely's SEA platform
- Volvo, Polestar, Lotus – established Western luxury/performance names
The Big US Question: Is Geely Coming?
For years the answer was “maybe someday.” At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Geely finally stopped hedging.
Ash Sutcliffe, Geely Holding Group’s head of global communications, told media the company is “actively evaluating” a US launch and expects to make a formal decision within 24–36 months. He singled out Zeekr and Lynk & Co as the most likely brands to arrive first.
The plan almost certainly involves building cars in the US rather than importing them. Why? The current 100% tariff on Chinese-made EVs makes direct imports uneconomical. But Geely already owns Volvo’s Ridgeville, South Carolina plant – a ready-made, tariff-free production base.
Can Geely Actually Succeed in America?
Pros
- Price + Tech Combo: Zeekr and Lynk & Co vehicles routinely undercut Tesla and legacy brands while offering faster charging, better infotainment, and more standard features.
- Existing Footprint: Volvo’s US factory, dealer network, and brand trust give Geely a massive head start that BYD, Chery, or Nio simply don’t have.
- Proven Global Success: Geely/Zeekr are already selling strongly in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. The product quality is no longer in question.
- Hybrid Strategy: Not everything has to be a full EV; Geely’s plug-in hybrids could appeal to buyers wary of charging infrastructure.
Cons & Roadblocks
- Tariffs & Politics: Even with local assembly, software and data-security rules (fueled by national-security fears) remain a huge hurdle.
- Brand Perception: Many Americans still associate “Chinese car” with cheap and unreliable – despite Volvo/Polestar proving otherwise under Geely ownership.
- Dealer Network: Building or converting a nationwide sales & service network takes years and billions.
- Competition: The US EV/hybrid market is crowded, and Detroit + Tesla won’t roll over.
Bottom Line
Geely isn’t sneaking in the back door – it’s walking up to the front gate with a plan, a factory, and products that are genuinely competitive. If it can navigate the regulatory and political minefield (and local manufacturing is the obvious workaround), Zeekr and Lynk & Co could be the first Chinese-origin brands to achieve real volume in the US since… well, ever.
The next 2–3 years will be fascinating. The question is no longer “if” Geely will try – it’s “how big can they get before the rest of the industry fully wakes up?”
Buckle up, America. The second wave of Chinese cars isn’t coming – it’s already building the factory.