According to media reports, on July 2, Chinese automaker Geely Auto Group announced that it will launch its Geely-branded vehicles in the United Kingdom, with the first model to hit the UK market being the Geely EX5 electric SUV. Known domestically in China as the "Geely Galaxy E5," this model was launched in the Chinese market in May 2024.
Geely Auto Group stated that the EX5 electric SUV will primarily target fleet buyers, with the first batch of vehicles expected to be delivered to UK customers in the fourth quarter of this year. The company is currently evaluating whether local customization will be necessary to meet the specific needs and preferences of British consumers. According to Autocar, Geely is leveraging the engineering expertise of its high-end brand Lotus to support the development of the EX5 electric SUV.
In a statement, Geely Auto Group said the EX5 is currently in a "deep development phase" tailored for UK market demands, and it will be the first in a series of "high-quality, affordable models" the brand intends to roll out in the UK.
This move places Geely among several Chinese automakers already selling in the UK, such as BYD, Chery's sub-brands Omoda and Jaecoo, and XPeng. However, Geely-owned brands including Volvo, Lotus, and Polestar already have a presence in the UK market. Notably, the UK is the largest EV market in Europe and, unlike the EU, does not impose additional tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles.
Geely also plans to introduce the EX5 electric SUV in markets outside China, including Australia, Brazil, and Poland. Last year, Geely Auto Group's global sales rose by more than 32% year-over-year to 2,176,567 vehicles, with its Galaxy sub-brand contributing 494,440 units - an increase of approximately 80% compared to the previous year.
Additionally, Chinese automaker Changan Automobile is planning to establish a manufacturing facility in Europe to support future sales in the region. On July 2, Changan's Head of Marketing, Sales, and Service for the European market, Nic Thomas, told Reuters that the company is currently evaluating potential plant locations. He also revealed that Changan will begin selling the Deepal S07 in the UK later this year, with deliveries expected to start in September.
