Faced with a shrinking domestic market, Chinese automaker Geely is focusing on boosting international sales of its electric vehicle brands Zeekr and Lynk & Co. The company aims to double these brands’ sales outside China by expanding production and entering new markets, signaling a strategic shift toward global growth amid tightened domestic demand.
A key part of Geely’s strategy involves ramping up production in Malaysia, where it collaborates with local automaker Proton, in which Geely holds a significant stake. Production of the Zeekr 7X electric SUV is set to begin there early next year. This move will help Geely tap into the Southeast Asian market while avoiding building new factories, since the company plans to use existing underutilized production facilities worldwide.
Geely’s broader plan includes increasing annual production of Zeekr and Lynk & Co EVs to surpass 100,000 units in 2026. While this volume remains below that of larger competitors like Tesla or BYD, it marks a substantial step for emerging Chinese EV brands. Geely’s approach also capitalizes on acquiring and repurposing idle manufacturing capacity, particularly in regions with trade protections, to accelerate its expansion into markets such as Europe.
Currently, Zeekr vehicles are available in over 50 countries. This year, Geely intends to extend its global reach by launching in four additional markets: South Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. These expansions reflect the company’s commitment to international growth, aiming to increase EV adoption and presence across diverse regions.
The combination of expanding production abroad, strategic partnerships, and targeted market entries positions Geely to raise its global footprint in the increasingly competitive electric vehicle sector. This strategy may help Geely capitalize on opportunities beyond China’s fluctuating EV market and support the brand’s ambition to emerge as a significant player worldwide.