Geely’s return to Australia is revealed in local profiles, job ads

of China Geely looks set to return to Australia.

Technically, the Chinese giant is already present here through Lotus, Polestar and Volvo which it owns. It also has electric vehicle (EV) brand Zeekr due to launch in the second half of 2024 and has previously confirmed Lynk & Co will launch in 2025.

But in a job posting on LinkedIn, they confirmed that they are looking for a national marketing director who will be responsible for “Geely’s brand strategy” and “building the new Geely brand.”

This suggests that Geely plans to bring its eponymous brand into the Australian market, joining a host of rival Chinese brands including BYD, Chery and MG.

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group also recently filed a trademark application that saw the launch of the Geely Auto brand.

It filed a trademark application for the Geely name on January 19, 2024, as well as what appears to be a six-segment version of its logo on October 14, 2023.

As is typical of a major Chinese brand, there are many vehicles under the Geely Auto banner in China along with a number of sub-brands.

Geometry is a sub-brand founded in 2019 for affordable electric vehicles, while Galaxy was founded last year for higher-end models like the E8 large electric sedan.

Although marketed as a separate brand like Zeekr and not a sub-brand, Radar Auto is also under the Geely Holding umbrella.

Its first car, the RD6 electric car, has been confirmed for right-hand drive, while the Ridarra nameplate has been trademarked locally. It’s unclear whether the car will be sold under the Geely Auto brand here.

The Geely Auto brand includes everything from a tiny electric car, the Panda Mini, to Kia Sorento-Large Haoyue three-row SUV, known as Okavango outside of China.

Some of these vehicles were manufactured with right-hand drive. For example, the Okavango is produced with right-hand drive in Malaysia and sold as the Proton X90.

Many of Geely’s vehicles, including the Okavango, Xingyue (also known as Tugella) and Xingyue L (also known as Monjaro), use the company’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform. Volvo XC40 And North Star 2.

Geely has previously confirmed that it plans to develop more right-hand drive models to expand its global footprint.

“2024 marks a year for Geely to strengthen its market presence, from steadfast ventures in core markets to new markets such as Latin America, Central Asia, ASEAN and the European Union,” the company said in a statement last month.

The Geely brand has been present in Australia before.

In 2009, Western Australian car dealer John Hughes announced plans to bring Geely MK sedan and hatch to Australia.

These were eventually sold exclusively in Western Australia. What hindered the brand’s growth was the lack of electronic stability control in the MK, which was required soon after launch.

MK was also caught up in the asbestos recall, which also affected Great Wall and Chery. Even though the MK’s base price has dropped to a market-leading $8,999, it can’t save the brand here.

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