Chinese car giant Geely is preparing to flex its muscles in Australia with a broad range of hybrid and electric SUVs in the coming years, but it remains coy on plans for the Riddara ute.
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Geely has set its sights on expanding its model range in Australia with electric and hybrid SUVs across a variety of size classes to expand its growth and market share.
Lei Li, Geely Australia CEO, told Drive at the recent launch of the marque's second SUV in the Australian market, the Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid, that he is “not really happy” with its current sales position and volume, and that it's looking to expand its footprint.
“We will focus on the new energy products, which means EV [electric], 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.”
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,” the executive said.
"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, the fully-electric EX5 and 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- or all-wheel drive.
If Geely does bring a larger SUV to Australia to complement the current range, this would be a likely candidate.
A small SUV from Geely could be based on the recently released Geome Xingyuan hatchback, a fully-electric 4.1-metre-long competitor to the BYD Dolphin.
However, future models for the Australian market may be as-yet-unseen in China, as Geely is continuing to unveil new models within its Galaxy sub-brand that spawned the EX5 and Starray.
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
