Geely Auto to enter UK market with all-electric SUV in 2025
Geely Auto Group one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers has announced its entry into the UK passenger car market and will launch its first UK model the all-electric Geely EX5 by the end of 2025.
Headquartered in Hangzhou, China, Geely Auto was founded in 1997 and operates under Zhejiang Geely Holding Group - owner of several global automotive brands including Volvo Cars, Polestar, Lynk & Co, and premium EV marque Zeekr. The company’s UK launch marks a key step in its European expansion strategy, following years of rapid global growth and rising export volumes.
The Geely EX5, a C-segment SUV, will be the first vehicle launched by Geely Auto UK, the company’s newly established distribution arm. This marks Geely’s first official distributor in Europe and forms part of a broader globalisation strategy that saw the automaker achieve a 34% year-on-year increase in sales in 2024, with over 2.17 million vehicles sold globally.
Tailored for the UK market
To ensure the EX5 meets the expectations of UK drivers, Geely Auto UK has partnered with the renowned engineers at Lotus Engineering. The Norfolk-based firm, known for its expertise in vehicle dynamics, has conducted a full chassis and performance evaluation of the EX5, including rigorous testing on UK roads, at the Lotus test track, and on advanced testing rigs.
This collaboration ensures the vehicle’s ride, handling, and responsiveness are fine-tuned specifically for British roads and customer preferences.
Mike Yang, General Manager of Geely Auto UK, commented:
"We know the Geely EX5 is a great product with several core features that will appeal to a British audience. That’s why we chose it to be our first passenger car for sale in the UK. However, we’re aware that UK customers have unique demands. That’s why we’re working with the experts at Lotus Engineering to make sure the EX5 delivers the right experience from day one."
A Global model ready for right-hand drive
The EX5 has been developed as a truly global vehicle, offered in both left-hand and right-hand drive, and certified for sale in 89 countries worldwide. In anticipation of its UK launch, Geely Auto has already carried out customer clinics and fleet previews to better understand the needs of British drivers and businesses.
Fleet customers, a key segment for the brand, were given a first look at the production-intent version of the EX5 at the recent Company Car in Action event at Millbrook Proving Ground.
The move into the UK market is part of Geely’s “Five by Five” globalisation strategy, which includes expanding its network of design centres, R&D hubs, testing facilities, and service outlets. By the end of 2025, Geely aims to operate over 1,100 sales and service outlets globally, with the UK positioned as a central pillar of this expansion.
In 2024, Geely Auto’s export volume surged past 414,000 vehicles, a 57% increase year-on-year, as the brand launched in new markets including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Latin America.
What’s next for UK customers?
Geely Auto UK plans to open public channels later this summer ahead of the EX5’s commercial launch in late 2025. Further details about pricing, leasing options, and local retail partnerships are expected in the coming months.
With a focus on quality, innovation, and market-specific tuning, the Geely EX5 signals a confident new step into the UK EV space, bringing another all-electric SUV option to British roads soon.
