Auto Shanghai 2021: Geely makes a big appearance

Geely Auto made a grand appearance in Shanghai as expected: Geely itself presented its flagship, the Xingyue L, an SUV based on the CMA platform. Since last year, according to its own information, the Geely Auto brand has entered the "Innovative Geely 4.0 era" phase to develop and launch new models based on advanced modular vehicle architectures. The advanced modular vehicle architectures BMA, CMA, and SEA of the Geely Group were developed from the start to support electrification and pure electric drive options, so that all products using these architectures can be offered with electrified drive options. The Xingyue L is also expected to be offered with an electrified powertrain option "in due course."

Long ranges at Geometry

Geometry, the pure electric vehicle brand for the mass market, presented its new version of the Geometry A with extended range at the show. According to Geely, the Geometry A Pro offers users a purely electric range of up to 600 kilometers with a new NCM523 lithium battery and a 150 kW/310 Nm e-motor. Since its launch in 2019, the Geometry brand has introduced a new model each year, with Models A and C currently being sold in the Chinese market. The brand plans to export the Geometry C to selected global partners later this year.

Lynk & Co unveiled its latest plug-in hybrid variant of the Lynk & Co 05 at the Shanghai Auto Show. With this latest version, Lynk & Co now offers a fully electrified vehicle range, including plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids. Moreover, Lynk & Co presented for the first time the scalable product architecture that will be used by a future Lynk & Co product, which is set to be introduced later this year with an electrified powertrain.

Zeekr also aims to break the 700-kilometer mark

The latest premium electric vehicle brand of the Geely Holding, Zeekr, was presented to the media a few days before the Shanghai Auto Show, bringing its first model, the Zeekr 001, to its first official public appearance on the exhibition floor. The flagship model, developed based on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) by Geely, offers a purely electric range of up to 700 kilometers and a powerful, technology-laden package.

Volvo Cars brought its latest XC40 Recharge to the show, the brand's first purely electric model. The Swedish brand has stated that it will only sell fully battery-electric models from 2030 and has announced the introduction of its second purely electric model, the C40. Polestar introduced an expanded Polestar 2 model range. The new versions enhance the appeal of the brand's first all-electric performance fastback and bring the Polestar 2 to new, more affordable price regions, while maintaining the uncompromising and high level of design details. Three powertrains are available, while a simplified structure of option packages ensures that customers can easily assemble their perfect Polestar 2. The last edition of the Polestar 1, now in gold, was showcased. With the Polestar 0 project, a truly climate-neutral Polestar car is to be developed by 2030, without relying on offsetting by planting trees.

LEVC and Lotus are also set to grow further

But there was also news about the British subsidiaries: LEVC will expand its market presence in low-emission taxis and light commercial vehicles in the UK and the broader European Union. On April 19, 2021, LEVC announced its market entry into Poland. Lotus will continue the development of its electric hypercar Evija and will announce its path towards broader electrification "in due course."

In addition to the new electrified products being showcased by the Geely brands at the Shanghai Auto Show, Geely Holding is also supporting programs that accelerate the path to an electrified future, including: technology partnerships with system providers such as Baidu and Tencent that will promote low-carbon digital applications for new vehicles. Additionally, a partnership with Foxconn was announced to provide EV-OEM and automotive consulting services for new brands entering the market.

In the commercial vehicle segment, Farizon Auto will advance the development of zero-emission and electrified powertrains in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle market. Additionally, it was announced that the new powertrain division, which will arise from the internal combustion engine activities of Volvo Cars and Geely Auto, will produce next-generation hybrid electric engines for Geely Holding's brands and also for external customers. This could also include Smart and Daimler.

Daniel Donghui Li, CEO of Geely Holding, stated:

"We are committed to a decarbonized future powered by electromobility. Just as the internal combustion engine revolutionized transportation a century ago, Geely is now accelerating efforts to electrify its future products and services. We believe this will create value for our customers, shareholders, and society at large."

What does this mean?

Geely has a home game in Shanghai and took advantage of it: it announced new products for most brands and had a broader presence than ever before – however, the major product innovations this time were reserved for the parent brand.