Expect a big range of hybrid and electric SUVs from Geely in the coming years, as the Chinese auto giant plans to flex its muscles.
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Chinese Automotive giant Geely is poised to expand its SUV range in Australia, and will target a broader offering of electric and hybrid SUVs to expand its growth and market share.
Speaking to Drive at the recent launch of Geely’s second SUV in the Australian market – the Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid – local CEO Lei Li indicated that the brand is ‘not really happy’ with the current position and sales volume of the brand, and is looking to expand its footprint.
“We will focus on the new energy products, which means EV, plug-in hybrid and hybrid models, and also definitely the SUVs” Li told Drive.
“From small SUV to big SUV, Geely as a mainstream brand will have to cover every segment.” Li continued.
While a broader range of SUVs for Australia seems to be a certainty, Li indicated that Geely isn’t planning on speeding new models into the Australian market in short succession.
“It will come, stage by stage and one by one. We will focus on the success of every single model.” Li explained.
"We have our strategy, we have our target, but the most important thing to focus on is the customers."
Geely currently has two medium SUVs for sale in the Australian market, with the fully electric EX5 and the plug-in hybrid Starray EM-i.
While future models are yet to be officially confirmed, Li’s comments point towards some possible new additions in the large and small SUV segments.
The Geely M9 is a large SUV with three rows of seating and a range of plug-in hybrid powertrains with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive available. If Geely does bring a larger SUV to Australia to compliment the current range, this would be a likely candidate.
A small SUV from Geely could be based upon the recently released Geome Xingyuan hatchback, which is a fully electric 4.1-metre competitor to the BYD Dolphin.
However, future models for the Australian market might not yet be revealed, as Geely is continuing to unveil new models within it’s Geely Galaxy sub-brand.
Recently revealed concepts like the Galaxy Cruiser point to a broader range of new SUVs coming from Geely, which would be suitable for the Australian market.
A fully electric ute that is similar in size to a Toyota HiLux, the RD6 has already gone on sale in right-hand drive.
While Li wouldn't confirm this model for the Australian market, it has been previously described by Geely executives as being ‘hopefully’ on sale in Australia in 2025.
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Sam Purcell has been writing about cars, four-wheel driving and camping since 2013, and obsessed with anything that goes brum-brum longer than he can remember. Sam joined the team at CarAdvice/Drive as the off-road Editor in 2018, after cutting his teeth at Unsealed 4X4 and Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures. Off-road writer of the Year, Winner - Sam Purcell
