Geely Worldwide Sales Reaches 1.32-Million in 2020
Geely Automobile Holdings Limited (Geely) has reported that its December 2020 sales (including sales of Lynk & Co-branded vehicles sold by the Group’s 50% owned joint venture) reached 154,202 units, a year-on-year increase of 2%.
Geely Auto and Lynk & Co brands sales in 2020 reached 1,320,217 units, beating its 2020 revised annual target. In spite of a market shutdown in China’s automotive market during the first quarter due to the Covid-19 epidemic, both Geely Auto and Lynk & Co brands have seen their market share grow with Geely Auto retaining its position as the best-selling Chinese brand for four consecutive years.
In 2021, Geely Auto will focus on adjusting its product strategy, introducing new models and set its annual target for 1.53 million units, a 16% increase from 2020.
In 2020, the Geely Auto celebrated its 10 millionth vehicle sold, becoming the first Chinese brand to reach that historic milestone. Globally, Geely Auto has accelerated its expansion and improved its brand image and reputation. A total of 72,700 vehicles were exported in 2020, a year-on-year increase of 25.3%.
Pressured by a global epidemic and intensified competition in the automotive industry, China’s domestic auto market faced an immense challenge in 2020. Geely Auto continued expanding its role as the leading Chinese auto brand with an expanding market share, increased global competitiveness, and improved product lineup. Turning the challenge resulting from Covid-19 into opportunity, Geely Auto accelerated its digital transformation and redoubled its effort in driving development through innovation.
Over the course of 2020, Geely Auto has continued to introduce vehicles based on the Compact Modular Architecture that was developed in cooperation with Volvo Cars. To date Geely Auto has launched two CMA based vehicles – the Preface Sedan and the Xing Yue Crossover SUV, both of which offer leading levels of connectivity, intelligence, quality, and safety. In particular the Geely Preface became the first Geely Auto model to offer users Firmware Over the Air (FOTA) updates, enabling the model to continuously evolve and never be outdated.
As well as launching Geely Auto’s first CMA based sedan, 2020 also saw the launch of the brand’s second B-segment Modular Architecture BMA-based SUV, the ICON. Launched at the height of the Covid-19 epidemic, ICON set a new trend for new vehicle launches with its fully digital launch ceremony and contactless delivery using drones to deliver keys to new owners. The Geely ICON was also one of the first models in the world to receive a N95-certified Intelligent Air Purification System which helps protect users from harmful elements in the cabin air including bacteria and viruses.
In 2020, Geely Auto continued expanding its global presence with new models launched in Russia, Philippines, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Myanmar. Despite a global pandemic which is still affecting many countries today, Geely Auto was able to grow in global markets due to the strength of its newest models and new dealership openings.
In 2021, Geely will bring to market a variety of new high value models. The Geely Auto brand will unveil a new CMA-based SUV and sedan as well as several updated models. For Lynk & Co, in addition to the production version of the pure electric Lynk & Co ZERO, the first Lynk & Co model developed on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) will also be unveiled.
In the coming years, Geely Auto fully immerse itself in its Innovative Geely 4.0 era and develop new models based on Geely’s world-class BMA, CMA, SPA, and new SEA modular architectures. Through the utilization of these new modular architectures, Geely will be able to offer users a comprehensive product lineup covering multiple segments from compact to full size and powertrain from pure electric to hybrid to traditional gasoline power.
Locally, Geely Philippines, under the distributorship of Sojitz G Auto Corporation has expanded its lineup from just the Coolray in 2019 to include the Azkarra compact SUV and Okavango MPV, both launched in 2020.