Chinese automakers are keen to flood the European electric-vehicle market. Yet few choose a Europe-specific approach and a tailored lineup. Geely is reworking its strategy to develop vehicles for European customers. A model under this new paradigm could arrive as early as 2027.
A first model designed for Europe
Geely is preparing a first model crafted for Europe starting in 2027. The announcement mirrors the approach BYD took in 2026 with the Dolphin G DM-i, which promises to be developed to meet European expectations. According to Dennis Weinel, Geely Europe’s head of product, this new model will be launched initially in Europe before being rolled out to other regions worldwide, exactly like BYD’s Dolphin G DM-i.
Whether Geely will lean more toward pure electric, plug-in hybrid, or conventional hybrid for this model remains unclear, but the wording closely follows BYD’s plan. That alignment is noteworthy because BYD and Geely are fierce rivals in China, and they may soon be competing in Europe as well if Geely closes the popularity gap. Geely is still relatively unknown to the broad European public. By contrast, the Geely Group owns well-known European brands such as Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and Smart.
Geely Europe wants more tailored vehicles
Right now, Geely is content to adapt its Chinese models for European markets. In an interview with Autocar, Dennis Weinel indicated that the in-car infotainment system is a key area of focus for vehicles sold in Europe: “The look and the feel are still very close to what we offer in China. This isn’t what we want for Europe.” Driver-assistance features are also a major area of attention, particularly their perceived intrusiveness for European consumers.
For Geely, as for other European automakers, on-road behavior will be a critical area of work if the group wants to measure up. European and Japanese brands have developed deep expertise in this domain. Our expectations align with what those European manufacturers offer, yet Chinese automakers arrive with vehicles that don’t emphasize driving excitement as a selling point. Having a feature-rich package, novel functions, and competitive pricing isn’t enough. Some European buyers remain drawn to the reassuring, serious driving dynamics of established brands. Geely will need to tune suspension, brakes, and steering—especially for its Europe-focused models—if it hopes to win over consumers. Fortunately, Geely can lean on Volvo’s expertise to accelerate this learning curve.
