STARRAY ENTERPRISE

Geely-badged cars are new to the UK, but the brand is a volume-selling powerhouse at home in China. ALEX GOY takes the factory tour

- 

Until quite recently, Geely has been something of an automotive shadow in the UK, a background entity known mainly for its ownership of a number of familiar car makers. Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and LEVC are among its portfolio of brands, and they have received substantial investment (with varying degrees of success). But in China, Geely is a prominent firm in its own right – it has been making cars there since 1998, and it appears to have more resources at its disposal than some small countries.

Geely Auto launched in the UK at the tail end of 2025, aiming itself squarely at the mass market with a two-pronged BEV and PHEV approach. The UK business is currently building itself up, but back in China its HQ in Hangzhou employs 6000 people alone and is a hive of activity. Geely has a huge spread of brands covering luxury, budget, sport and even motorcycle sectors. Having so many fingers in so many pies means the firm has bases of operation all over the world – in Sweden, Italy, Germany, the UK and more – that can be used for design, engineering, development and manufacture.