Geely Auto

Geely Automobile Holdings Limited

Company type	Public
Industry	Automotive
Founded	January 1, 1986 (1986-01-01) in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
Founder	Li Shufu
Headquarters	Ningbo , China (incorporated in the Cayman Islands)
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Li Shufu (Founder)
Products	Automobiles, New energy vehicles, Automotive financing services
Owner	Zhejiang Geely Holding (majority shareholder)
Number of employees	60,000 (2024)
Parent	Zhejiang Geely Holding Group
Website	global.geely.com

Geely Automobile Holdings Limited, commonly referred to as Geely Auto (; ), operates as a publicly traded automotive enterprise predominantly controlled by Zhejiang Geely Holding (ZGH). The company owns the Geely Auto brand and holds major equity interests in Lynk & Co, Proton Cars, and Zeekr. It is incorporated in the Cayman Islands and its shares are traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Established in 1986 by Li Shufu in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, Geely initially produced refrigerators before expanding into the motorcycle industry in 1994. The company became China's first privately owned automobile manufacturer in 1997, debuting its inaugural vehicle, the Geely Haoqing, in 1998. Geely went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2004.

As the largest subsidiary of Zhejiang Geely Holding, Geely manufactured more than 2.17 million vehicles in 2024, including approximately 888,000 new energy models (plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles). It employs around 60,000 staff members, representing the largest portion of the group’s workforce which totals over 130,000 employees.

The term "Geely" is a phonetic representation of (), which translates to "auspicious" or "propitious" in Chinese.

Structure

Geely Automobile Holdings (Geely Auto) is a publicly listed entity under Zhejiang Geely Holding, a conglomerate chiefly owned by Li Shufu. Since February 2017, Geely Auto has been part of the Hang Seng Index. As of 2024, Zhejiang Geely Holding holds the largest share at 39.94%, followed by Proper Glory Holding Inc.—a company partially owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding—with a 26.2% stake. Collectively, over 76% of Geely Auto’s shares are owned by organizations affiliated with Li Shufu.

The company has full ownership of the Geely, Geely Galaxy, and Radar Auto (Riddara) brands. Ownership of Lynk & Co is shared with Zeekr, another subsidiary of Geely Auto. Through its subsidiary Linkstate Overseas Limited and Malaysian partner DRB-HICOM, it co-owns Proton Holdings. In February 2024, Geely Auto divested its 45% interest in the battery swapping joint venture brand Livan Automotive to Geely Qizheng, another firm within Zhejiang Geely Holding. Since May 2024, Zeekr has been publicly traded on the NYSE, with Geely Auto maintaining a controlling interest of 62.8%. Additionally, the company holds a 75% stake in Genius Auto Finance Co., Ltd., which serves as Geely’s financial services division.

Zhejiang Geely Holding categorizes Geely, Lynk & Co, Proton, and Livan (until its sale in 2024) under the "Geely Auto Group" business segment, whereas Zeekr functions as an independent unit.

History

Founded in 1986 by Li Shufu in Ningbo, Zhejiang, Geely began its operations manufacturing refrigerators in Taizhou, Zhejiang. The company was initially financed through loans from Li’s family. In 1994, Geely expanded into the motorcycle sector by acquiring a state-owned enterprise and subsequently produced China’s first scooter.

Li Shufu outlines the company’s development through three distinct stages: an initial "1.0 era" focused on machinery manufacturing, followed by a "2.0 era" emphasizing electronics production, and currently a "3.0 era" centered on intelligent technologies.

1997–2007

Geely Group Co., Ltd. transitioned into a private enterprise in 1996. That same year, it completed its inaugural vehicle prototype, the "Geely Number 01," which bore a resemblance to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210) and featured a chassis inspired by the Audi 100. This luxury prototype, however, never reached mass production.

By 1997, Geely had constructed manufacturing facilities and secured investments to enter the automotive sector, becoming the first private car manufacturer in China amidst mainly state-owned competitors such as Chery. The company's initial production vehicle, the Geely Haoqing, was introduced in August 1998 in Linhai, Zhejiang. This model shared design similarities with the Japanese Daihatsu Charade and was equipped with a Daihatsu three-cylinder engine. Despite this early start, Geely only received its national production license in November 2001, which postponed large-scale manufacturing until 2002. At that point, Geely ranked among the top ten automobile brands in China and was positioned 421st on the list of "Top 500 Companies in China," as well as 28th within Zhejiang Province.

Geely attracted notice for inventive vehicle names like the "King Kong" sedan and the early Uliou (You Li Ou), a playful term implying superiority over rivals such as the Tianjin Xiali and Buick Sail.

In 2002, ownership of Geely shifted from family control to a joint-stock structure with professional management at the helm. On 24 March 2003, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd. (ZGH) was founded. The following month, ZGH entered into a joint venture with Guorun Holdings Co., Ltd., a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, to broaden its automotive operations. Li Shufu acquired a controlling interest in Guorun in January 2004; subsequently, in March 2004, the firm was renamed Geely Automobile Holdings Limited. This reverse takeover enabled Geely to raise capital through Hong Kong’s financial markets.

In August 2002, Geely purchased Shanghai Jiashida Automobile Group to establish its manufacturing base under the Shanghai Maple brand. The Maple Biaofeng model was launched in August 2003. Earlier that year, Geely unveiled its first sports car, the Geely BL, which became available for sale in November.

After Chinese government macro-control policies introduced in late 2003 slowed automotive market growth, Geely made significant investments in independent research and development, modernizing factories and enhancing product quality. These efforts led to increased sales within economy vehicle segments from 2003 through 2004. Additionally, Geely began exporting automobiles internationally starting in August 2003 and broadened its global footprint by participating in events such as the Frankfurt Auto Show (2005) and Detroit Auto Show (2006).

A report published in 2012 disclosed that Geely had subcontracted its local engineering partner CH-Auto in 2005 to reverse-engineer a Toyota Aygo city car, culminating in the development of the closely resembling Geely LC.

2007–2014

Between 2007 and 2008, Geely Auto revised its strategic focus toward advancing technology, enhancing quality, and improving service rather than competing primarily on price—a shift formalized by the "Ningbo Declaration." This strategy enabled Geely to better withstand the challenges posed by the 2008 financial crisis.

In January 2007, Geely initiated exports of semi-knock down (SKD) kits to Ukraine with shipments of 300 knock-down parts sets intended for local assembly operations. By 2012, Geely had become China's second-largest automobile exporter after Chery, shipping out approximately 100,300 vehicles annually. Complete knock-down (CKD) assembly plants were also established through partnerships in Russia, Indonesia, and Egypt.

Starting in 2008, Geely invested in developing turbocharged gasoline engines aimed at enhancing both performance and fuel efficiency. That year also saw the creation of the Gleagle sub-brand, followed by the launch of Emgrand and Englon brands in 2010. Englon focused on vehicles inspired by traditional British design aesthetics and included models such as the London black cab TX4, acquired via a stake in British firm Manganese Bronze Holdings.

Toward the end of 2011, Geely appointed former Volvo designer Peter Horbury as Senior Vice President of Design. Under his leadership, development commenced on the Geely Borui sedan, which is considered by many to be the company’s inaugural model representing its "3.0 era."

2014Template:Endashpresent

During the period from 2013 to 2014, Geely Auto experienced a downturn in sales along with outdated technological capabilities, which led to a comprehensive reorganization. This overhaul consolidated the Emgrand, Haoqing, and Englon brands into a single Geely brand, simplifying its vehicle portfolio. This transformation ushered in the "Era of Premium Cars 3.0," marked by the introduction of models such as the Geely Borui (2015), Geely Boyue (2016), as well as the Emgrand GS and Emgrand GL.

In October 2016, Geely unveiled the Lynk & Co brand in Berlin, Germany, offering three vehicles built on the Compact Modular Architecture created by CEVT. Positioned strategically between Geely and Volvo, Lynk & Co implemented innovative marketing strategies including direct sales to consumers and subscription-based ownership. By August 2017, a joint venture was formed involving Zhejiang Geely Holding (20%), Geely Automobile Holdings (50%), and Volvo Cars (30%) to oversee Lynk & Co operations.

The year 2018 saw Geely launch its "Technology Geely 4.0" platform, presenting premium products under the "Refined Vehicle Series," which included the "Star" lineup featuring models like the Geely Xingrui and Geely Xingyue. The company also introduced the NordThor E-Hybrid powertrain. Despite facing market obstacles, Geely expanded its market presence and produced over 1.5 million units by year's end, offering more than ten models including those developed on the BMA platform. In early 2019, Geely delivered 651,680 vehicles amid trade disputes and tighter emission regulations, benefiting from increased average selling prices driven by upscale product offerings.

In April 2019, Geely launched its electric vehicle sub-brand, Geometry, which was incorporated into Geely Auto in March 2023 as its entry-level electric vehicle range. March 2021 marked the establishment of Geely’s premium electric vehicle brand, Zeekr, alongside the announcement of the "Smart Geely 2025 Strategy," aiming for annual sales of 3.65 million units across Geely Auto, Lynk & Co, Geometry, and Zeekr by 2025.

During the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in November 2022, Geely refreshed its logo and took on the role of official automotive service partner for the event. The updated emblem is a streamlined inversion of its former design.

February 2023 introduced Geely’s mainstream new energy vehicle lineup under the name Geely Galaxy. The initial model, the Geely Galaxy L7 plug-in hybrid SUV, is equipped with the NordThor E-Hybrid 8848 powertrain and Galaxy N-OS technology. In that year, Geely Auto achieved record-breaking sales surpassing 1.6 million vehicles.

2024 restructuring

In November 2024, Geely Holding Group optimized its subsidiaries' equity arrangements as part of a wider corporate restructuring initiative. The group transferred its 11.3% shareholding in Zeekr Intelligent Technology (Zeekr) to Geely Automobile Holdings (Geely Auto), thereby raising Geely Auto’s stake in Zeekr to 62.8%. Subsequently, Zeekr acquired a combined 50% interest in Lynk & Co—20% from Geely Auto for 3.6 billion yuan and another 30% from Volvo Cars for 5.4 billion yuan—gaining majority control with 51%, while Geely Auto retained a 49% holding. Furthermore, both the electric pickup brand Radar Auto (Riddara) and Livan were absorbed into Geely Auto.

By July 2025, Geely Auto entered into an agreement to merge with Zeekr by acquiring all outstanding shares, making Zeekr a fully owned subsidiary.

Assembly facilities

Geely Auto manages a network of 10 production plants throughout mainland China, collectively capable of manufacturing 2.11 million vehicles annually.

Facility name	Location	Yearly output capacity	Manufactured models
Chunxiao plant	Zhenhai, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China	200,000 vehicles	Boyue, Boyue L
Xiangtan plant	Xiangtan, Hunan, China	300,000 vehicles	Binyue, Xingyuan
Baoji plant	Baoji, Shaanxi, China	200,000 vehicles	Galaxy L7, Boyue, Boyue L
Linhai plant	Linhai, Zhejiang, China	300,000 vehicles	Galaxy L6, Emgrand L, Galaxy Starship 7
Jinzhong plant	Jinzhong, Shanxi, China	180,000 vehicles	Geometry A, Geometry C
Qiantang plant	Qiantang, Hangzhou, China	100,000 vehicles	Galaxy E8, Geometry E, Icon/Cowboy
Hangzhou Bay DMA plant	Hangzhou Bay, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China	150,000 vehicles	Xingyue, Xingrui, Xingrui L
Guiyang plant	Guiyang, Guizhou, China	200,000 vehicles	Galaxy E5, Haoyue L, Jiaji
Changxing plant	Changxing County, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China	180,000 vehicles	New Emgrand, Binrui Cool, Smart #5
Xi'an plant	Xi'an, Shaanxi, China	300,000 vehicles	Xingyue L, Smart #1, Smart #3

Brands and product lines

The principal brand under Geely Automobile Holdings is Geely Auto along with its sub-brand Geely Galaxy. The company holds partial ownership in Lynk & Co, Proton Cars, Radar Auto, London EV Company, and Zeekr. It previously participated in the joint venture Livan Automotive. Past brands include Geometry (now discontinued), Emgrand (phased out), Englon (retired), and Gleagle (no longer active).

Geely Auto

Geely serves as the core brand of the company and primarily features petrol-powered cars while also offering hybrid and fully electric variants.

Passenger cars

• Emgrand (2010–present), compact sedan
• Emgrand L (2019–present; export-only since 2025), compact sedan
• Binrui/Binray (2018–present), compact sedan
• Xingrui/Preface (2020–present), mid-size sedan

Sport utility vehicles

• Xingyue L / Monjaro (2021–present), mid-size SUV
• Xingyue S / Tugella (2019–present; export-only since 2023), compact coupe SUV
• Haoyue R7 (upcoming), compact coupe SUV PHEV version of Livan 7
• Haoyue / Okavango (2020–present), mid-size SUV
• Boyue / Atlas / Azkarra (2016–present), compact SUV
• Boyue Cool / Cityray (2023–present), compact SUV
• Boyue L / Starray / Atlas (2023–present), compact SUV
• Binyue / Coolray (2018–present), subcompact SUV
• Icon / Cowboy (2020–present), subcompact SUV
• Vision X3 / GX3 Pro (2017–present; export-only since 2023), subcompact SUV
• Haoyue Pro (2024–present), compact SUV

MPV

• Geely Jiaji (2019–present)

Geely Galaxy

Introduced in February 2023, Geely Galaxy () represents Geely's lineup dedicated to new energy vehicles, emphasizing plug-in hybrid and fully electric models. The Geely Geometry series was incorporated into Geely Galaxy in October 2024. By March 2025, Geely Galaxy was elevated to a standalone brand, focusing on the premium electric vehicle segment with offerings such as the L7 PHEV and E8 BEV.

Proton

Proton, Malaysia's national automotive marque, has been 49.9% owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding since 2017, with the remaining shares held by DRB-HICOM. The debut of Proton’s first Geely-derived SUV, the Proton X70, occurred in December 2018, based on the initial generation of the Geely Boyue. This collaboration has broadened Proton’s lineup with models like the S70 and X50, strengthening its foothold in Southeast Asia’s automotive market.

Geely Radar

Radar Auto (), known as Riddara internationally, specializes in battery electric pickup trucks. Previously under the ownership of Geely Holding Group, it was merged into Geely Auto in November 2024. The brand’s inaugural model, the Radar RD6, was launched in 2022.

Zeekr

Zeekr (), a premium electric vehicle brand under Geely Automobile Holdings (ZGH), has been publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange since May 2024. Founded in 2021 as an offshoot of Lynk & Co, Zeekr initially produced models based on Lynk & Co platforms. Following a significant ownership restructuring in late 2024, Zeekr acquired a 51% stake in Lynk & Co and holds a 75% controlling interest in Geely’s financing subsidiary, Genius Auto Finance Co., Ltd. Although Geely Automobile Holdings owns 62.8% of Zeekr, the brand operates independently from the Geely Auto Group business unit.

Lynk & Co

Launched in 2017, Lynk & Co utilizes technology developed collaboratively by Volvo Cars and Geely Auto. Ownership changed after the 2024 restructuring: Zeekr now controls 51%, while Geely Auto maintains a 49% stake. Previously, ownership was divided as 50% by Geely Auto, 30% by Volvo Cars, and 20% by ZGH.

LEVC

London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) is a brand owned by ZGH that manufactures electric black cabs and commercial vans. The company adopted its current name in 2017 to highlight its specialization in electric commercial vehicles. It originated from The London Taxi Company, which was formerly part of Manganese Bronze Holdings before being acquired by Geely in 2013.

In January 2025, LEVC was absorbed into Geely Auto and introduced to the Chinese market through the Geely Galaxy dealership network.

Livan/Maple

Maple traces back to Shanghai Maple Automobile, a subsidiary of Geely founded in 1999 and discontinued around 2010. The brand was revived in 2020 with the launch of its inaugural electric vehicle, the Maple 30X. In 2022, Geely partnered with Lifan to form Livan Automotive (睿蓝), consolidating former Maple products under this new joint venture.

Geely Geometry

Geely Geometry () represented Geely’s battery electric vehicle range. Established as an independent marque in 2019, it was absorbed into Geely Auto by March 2023 as an entry-level electric vehicle series. In October 2024, Geometry was merged into Geely Galaxy and repositioned as a "smart boutique small car series" within that collection.

Emgrand

Introduced in 2009 as a brand catering to the mid- to upper-tier luxury segment, Emgrand transitioned into a Geely sub-brand in 2014, ending its independent operations. During this changeover, Geely implemented a refreshed version of the Emgrand emblem.

Englon

Englon () debuted in 2010 as a successor to the Shanghai Maple brand, featuring vehicles inspired by British design. Certain models were manufactured by Geely’s subsidiary, Shanghai LTI. Following the acquisition of The London Taxi Company in 2013, Englon’s badge was adopted as the new emblem for that company.

Gleagle

Active from 2010 until 2015, Gleagle () served as Geely’s budget-friendly marque. Select models such as the Gleagle Panda were available for purchase online through Taobao Mall, with Geely coordinating delivery, although buyers still needed to visit dealerships to complete purchases. After its discontinuation in 2015, most Gleagle vehicles were rebranded and sold under the Geely name.

Controversies

The 2009 Geely GE concept vehicle attracted criticism due to its striking resemblance to a Rolls-Royce.

In July 2025, Reuters disclosed that Zeekr engaged in practices involving inflated sales figures, prompting concerns about transparency and consumer protection.

Sales

Year	Total	Geely	Geely Geometry	Geely Galaxy	Lynk & Co	Zeekr		Livan/Maple
2009	325,413	data not disclosed / unavailable						unavailable
2010	415,286
2011	421,385
2012	483,483
2013	549,518
2014	417,851
2015	509,863
2016	765,851
2017	1,247,116
2018	1,500,838
2019	1,361,560
2020	1,320,217
2021	1,328,029	1,046,186	55,320	-	220,516	6,007		4,945 (excluded)
2022	1,432,988	975,391	149,389	-	180,127	71,941		56,140
2023	1,686,516	1,034,737	191,346	83,497	220,250	118,685		38,001
2024	2,176,567	1,174,563	'merged into Galaxy'	494,440	285,441	222,123		'59,094 (excluded)'

See also

• Geely, parent company
• List of automobile manufacturers of China
• Automotive industry in China