Geely News

Geely is set to reveal two new SUV models at the forthcoming Sydney Everything Electric show from September 18 to 20. Both of these two new Geely SUV models are set to launch in Australia during 2027. They will be shown alongside the existing EX5 and Starray EM-i SUVs, EX2 hatchback, as well as the forthcoming Emgrand L EM-i plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sedan. The latter vehicle is set to launch in Australia in the first half of 2027 and will be a key rival to the likes of the Toyota Camry and BYD Seal 6. At this stage Geely hasn’t officially confirmed what new SUV models it will display at the Sydney Everything Electric show. The Chinese carmaker previously showed the flagship M9 PHEV SUV at the Melbourne Motor Show in April. However, it’s unclear whether this is one of the new SUV models it plans to launch locally. Geely offers a sprawling number of SUVs in its global portfolio, including the Galaxy M7, Galaxy Cruiser 700/Battleship and Monjaro, among others. The announcement of Geely revealing two new Australian-bound SUVs follows an international roll-out of the aforementioned Monjaro. The Geely Monjaro is the export market version of the Xingyue L in China. It’s already offered in markets like Latin America, Russia and the Middle East, but recently launched in Egypt as a PHEV offering. The Monjaro is also already offered in Vietnam, which is notably a right-hand-drive market, like Australia. It’s a petrol-only offering in that market though. Globally the Monjaro is available in a series of pure-petrol, hybrid and PHEV powertrains. A rebadged Renault version of this SUV, dubbed the Grand Koleos, is produced and offered in South Korea. Geely’s namesake brand relaunched in Australia 2025 after a brief flirtation in Western Australia during 2010. The first Geely model offered in Australia this time was the EX5 electric mid-size SUV, followed by the Starray EM-i PHEV SUV and most recently the EX2 small electric hatchback. Until the end of August a total of 19,159 Geely vehicles were sold, which is up 600.3 per cent year-on-year. In fact during the month of August the brand sold a total of 4504 vehicles, making it the 10th best-selling brand.

Chinese carmakers like BYD, Chery and Geely must now play by new rules in export markets like Australia.  The Chinese government is cracking down on alleged anti-competitive behaviour from its automakers overseas, according to reports.  The European Union has imposed extensive tariffs on Chinese electric cars imported and sold in the region over the past few years. The EU made this move to stop suspected Chinese government subsidies from heavily undercutting local carmakers in showrooms. Export markets have become crucial for Chinese carmakers, with an oversaturated local market squeezing out profits.  Chinese brands have relied on low prices to establish global market share, which has left some domestic automakers scrambling to survive. These rules are designed to ensure Chinese brands won't be pushed out of export markets by tariffs and other penalties from domestic governments. It could also make new markets like the United States more open to Chinese brands. The Chinese government wants to prevent price wars for its brands in overseas markets that harm its reputation.  Carmakers must price cars based on production costs and market dynamics, not aggressive price cuts to drive out established competitors They should avoid steep or frequent price fluctuations, like heavy discounts that destabilise foreign markets They must avoid activities that trigger trade disputes or damage the image of Chinese brands  They must not force overseas dealers to set a certain price for cars, instead creating clear price gradients for different model grades.  They must follow host-nation regulations and implement anti-corruption safeguards All marketing and advertising must be truthful, with no misleading claims on vehicle specifications or performance Carmakers must follow local information protection and privacy laws  These new rules set out clear obligations for Chinese carmakers in their export markets, including Australia.  It is unclear if the rules will have a material impact in Australia in the short term. Australia does not have a domestic car industry to protect, so it doesn't need to impose the same heavy tariffs as Europe. This is one reason there are now so many new automakers drawn to Australia. The new rules could potentially see prices of Chinese cars increase, with many models on sale some of the cheapest on the market currently, and extremely competitive with established brands. However recently Chery, one of the most aggressively priced Chinese brands in Australia, dismissed the idea that its pricing was based on outside support, with local boss Lucas Harris saying its current price structure is "sustainable" and that the brand wasn't engaging in activities like dumping cars into our market. "I'd love to see some actual evidence" he said, "I'd love a subsidy, it would really help us out."

The number of Australians willing to buy an electric car has increased dramatically, with now only 17 percent of people stating they wouldn’t consider an EV according to a report by the NRMA. Australian tastes are rapidly changing when it comes to how we want our vehicles powered. And while combustion vehicles still rule our roads with the majority of new cars bought still have petrol and diesel engines, the uptake of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) is increasing. According to the NRMA’s latest Changing Gears report 31 percent of Australians in 2026 would consider a battery electric vehicle (BEV) compared to 20 percent in 2024. Additionally, consideration of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) has increased from 41 percent in 2024 to 58 percent in 2026. The report also found that the number of Australians who would not consider an EV was now just 17 percent. The Changing Gears report found that lower prices of electric cars, better infrastructure and rising petrol costs were some of the main motivating factors for the change in attitudes towards EVs. “There’s no doubt 2026 has been the tipping point for EV adoption. More affordable vehicles, expanded charging infrastructure and government incentives have all helped move EVs into the mainstream,” NRMA CEO Julie Batch said. “At the same time, rising petrol prices and concerns about long-term fuel security have given consumers even more reason to consider an EV.”  The NRMA report found several barriers, both real and perceived, were preventing Australians from considering an electric car. Of the 17 percent of people who would not consider an EV, the biggest concern was battery life with 60 percent saying this was a major barrier; 56 percent also felt that driving range was also a substantial reason not to buy an EV; 54 percent saw charging time as a factor that put them off; and finally 52 percent also felt fire risk stood in the way of them purchasing an electric car. “Some of the concerns we see around battery health and safety don't reflect the reality of modern EVs, but that doesn't mean they should be ignored. The challenge is helping Australians separate fact from fiction and to make decisions based on reliable information," Ms Batch said. “For example, independent battery testing is already widely available and can provide buyers with a clear picture of a battery's condition. When it comes to fires, EV battery fires are extremely rare and when charged correctly, there’s virtually zero fire risk.” The NRMA says that approximately 500,000 EVs are currently on Australian roads accounting for about three percent of the nation's entire number of registered cars. This number is expected to rise to approximately 10 percent by 2030, with CSIRO modelling  predicting that 97 percent of light passenger cars will be electric by 2050. Right now affordable Chinese EVs are proving hugely popular with Australians. Electric SUVs such as the BYD Sealion 7, Geely EX5 and Zeekr 7X are now more popular than past Aussie combustion favourites such as the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester.

Zeekr has announced monthly sales figures for August, announcing that it has more than doubled its global sales footprint year-on-year. Up a massive 100.4 per cent year-on-year, Zeekr reports it has delivered 251,000 vehicles, with monthly sales volume for August coming to 36,981 units. The growing luxury arm of Geely, Zeekr says it has now cumulatively sold nearly 900,000 units worldwide since its inception in 2021. This is an important milestone for Geely, as the higher pricing and margin of Zeekr vehicles is dragging up the brand’s average sale price in an environment where China’s automakers are seeking better profits after a bruising price war in the domestic market. The average sale price for a Zeekr vehicle is reportedly 370,000 RMB (A$77,090) and is an important factor in dragging the average sale price up for the entire Geely Group. Highlights for the year so far shared by Zeekr include over 200,000 global orders for the 7X mid-size SUV, and the Zeekr 9X large SUV becoming the best-selling SUV above the A$100,000 mark in China. In addition, the 009 people mover is now the best-selling luxury electric people mover in several markets, while the 7GT, soon to go on sale in Australia, is moving over 10,000 units a month globally. Zeekr has experienced explosive growth in Australia over the course of 2026, led primarily by its 7X, which until the end of July has clocked 7424 registrations. This has made it one of the best-selling electric cars in the country, ranking only behind more mainstream offerings like the BYD Sealion 7, Geely EX5 and Tesla Model Y. Zeekr will no doubt be expecting a bumper year in 2027, as well, as it adds the 7GT electric station wagon to the range as a new rival to the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3 before the end of the year, with the 8X large SUV and 9X flagship, both as plug-in hybrids, also set to join the line-up in 2027. For Geely’s part, it has also experienced massive growth in Australia, moving over 14,000 units so far in 2026, despite only having a two-model range. The keenly-priced EX2 hatchback has just joined its range, with the Emgrand sedan and possibly the Monjaro upper mid-sizer set to join the range next year as hybrid options. The company has big global aspirations to double its export sales in 2027. Doing so in Australia would put the brand in the same stead as other Chinese success stories like BYD, Chery and GWM. But Geely’s Australian CEO Alex Gu told CarsGuide earlier this year that the company would continue its measured approach in Australia, despite its early success. “Success isn’t just the volume booming,” he said, “success is also customer satisfaction and dealer satisfaction.” “We’ve only launched two models and for example other brands have launched 10 models. “Of course, they have been in the marke longer, but even with two models you can see we only try to bring ‘star’ models into each segment. “From my perspective, 1000 a month is a milestone for a new model, especially in mainstream segments.” He said the company’s ultimate target was to be a global top-five player, and that in export markets like Australia the goal was to be “the number one Chinese brand.” From there it was a matter of challenging “the global top three.” Stay tuned for more on Zeekr’s new model roll out, as well as more on Geely’s plans for 2027.

Geely’s Starray plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV will soon be available with all-wheel drive for Aussie buyers. The increasingly popular Chinese brand has confirmed it will add a new ‘Inspire’ AWD grade to its growing line-up.  Starting from $44,990, before on-road costs, it will be $3500 more expensive than the top-grade two-wheel-drive variant.  This means it will undercut the smaller Toyota RAV4 AWD PHEV by nearly $20,000. The new variant provides competition for the BYD Sealion 6 AWD ($52,990) and the 2WD-only Chery Tiggo 8 PHEV ($49,990, drive-away). It will arrive in dealerships in mid-September 2026 as the brand’s third Starray EM-i variant, with increased popularity encouraging the brand to broaden offerings. It went on sale in Australia in September 2025, following on from the fully electric EX5 earlier in the year. The AWD Starray uses the same 29.8kWh battery as the 2WD top grade, capable of travelling 130km (WLTP) on electric-only power.  This is marginally less than the Inspire 2WD, but Geely has given the AWD a 60L fuel tank (up from 51L), boosting total driving range to 1065km from 996km.  This variant boasts the most powerful set-up in the range. It adds a rear motor to compliment a front motor and 1.5-litre petrol engine, to make a combined 220kW and 412Nm. The new set-up means the car can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds, down from 8.2 seconds. It is slightly more thirsty than its 2WD sibling, registering 1.7L/100km for fuel efficiency, as opposed to 1.6L/100km.   Geely has added a five-link rear suspension compared to the four-link unit on other variants for improved comfort and handling, according to the brand.  It also has two new all-terrain-focused driving modes called ‘Snow’ and ‘Off-road’.

Geely’s Xiaomi SU7 rival is a smash hit in China. The Geely Galaxy TT has already had more than 20,000 pre-orders in China in its first two weeks on offer, ahead of its September 2026 launch date. The Galaxy TT is an electric coupe-style sports sedan - a segment gaining huge amounts of fanfare in China. The rival Xiaomi SU7 sold out 15,000 units in just 34 minutes earlier this year. These sedans are viewed as cheaper alternatives to the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-Tron GT, with the Galaxy TT priced from 145,900 yuan (or about $30,000).  This places it about 50,000 yuan (or roughly $10,000) cheaper than the Zeekr 007 GT wagon, which will be known as the 7GT when it arrives in Australia later this year.  Cars imported from China incur a 20 to 30 per cent increase compared to what they cost when put on sale here. Based on this., the Galaxy TT would likely be offered from less than $50,000 if it ever lands Down Under.  The Galaxy TT is 4999mm long, 1919mm wide, 1479mm high and has a 2920mm wheelbase, so it is a little bigger than a Toyota Camry. It is powered by single and dual electric motor set-ups, with the front motor pumping out 180kW, while the rear motor makes 245kW, combining for up to 425kW in total.  Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes as little as 3.8 seconds, going on to a top speed of 210km/h. Top-spec variants are equipped with a 75kWh CATL battery with up to 725 km of driving range, according to lenient CLTC testing.  Its 800-volt platform allows for a DC fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 12 minutes, with capacity to add 400km of range in a little over 10 minutes.  The Geely’s Galaxy TT is not the local branch's short-term schedule currently, but it has not categorically ruled out an arrival down the line.  Its early success in China could prove a catalyst for Geely to explore global expansion, including to right-hand drive markets like Australia.  Geely has slowly increased its model range in Australia, meaning we could see the Galaxy TT in local showrooms in the coming years.  

Chinese car maker Geely says it’s about to smash the 5.5-minute electric car charging time record with a battery breakthrough, but there’s a catch. Geely has announced it has developed a 1000V electric architecture for its vehicles which will allow charging from 10-80 per cent in less than 5.5 minutes, as it chases BYD and its advanced 'flash charging' technology. EV batteries can only charge as quickly as the vehicles electrical components will allow it to. Currently the standard is 400V and you'll find this in vehicles such as Tesla's Model Y and Toyota's bZ4X. Some car makers offer higher voltage systems with up to 800V architecture such as in the Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Zeekr 7X. Think of voltage like water pressure, the higher the voltage the quicker charge can be added to a battery with less current. Of course all of the pipes (electrical hardware) need to be upgraded to handle the pressure. Currently the limit is about 900V but BYD and Geely are racing to get to 1000V and beyond. Nobody likes to wait, and right now the long EV charging times are one of the main barriers for consumers looking at buying an electric car. The race is on to bring EV charging down to the same time it takes to fill up the tank of a petrol or diesel vehicle which is approximately two minutes using a standard service station fuel pump and 65L tank. Geely says its 1000V electrical architecture will allow cars to top-up from 10-80 percent in under 5.5 minutes. That’s a record for the industry. Currently BYD is the title holder with its flash charging technology which it claims can fill from 10-70 percent in five minutes. Sure, it’s not quite the two minutes it takes to fill up with petrol, but with both brands in this quick-charging dogfight it won’t be long before one of them, or another brand (Chery perhaps) is claiming the achievement. The catch is that achieving these record fast changing times requires more than just the car with 1000V architecture and EV owners already know what we’re talking about - the charger itself. Geely is beginning to roll out 1500kW chargers in China and it’s only by using these ultra fast chargers with the 1000V architecture that these cars can achieve the claimed charging times. Typically in Australia public fastest chargers range from 50kW-350kW with 400kW now also appearing. Even in China 1500kW chargers aren’t at very common and filling at under 5.5 minutes is not going to be accessible to everyone. Geely appears to be future-proofing its cars to ensure their cars can take advantage when the infrastructure arrives.   Currently in Australia Geely uses 400V architecture in the EX5 mid-sized SUV but it also owns Zeekr and the 7X mid-sized electric SUV has an 800V system. According to Zeekr the 7X will fill from 10-80 percent in 13 minutes if a 400kW charger is used.

Tesla has recalled nearly three million cars in China in the country's biggest recall ever. This recall impacts flush door handles on more than four million cars from not just Tesla but Geely, Xiaomi and XPeng, too. Flush door handles became popular in part thanks to Tesla. Some only pop out when required, as opposed to conventional handles, which can always be used. The trend took off in China, and features on many cars built in the country now. They have now been found to be a serious safety concern following several incidents globally, with this recall the latest step to curb risk. This recall has been brought about by two fatal Xiaomi crashes in China, among many other incidents. The two Xiaomi incidents are suspected to have been caused by power failures preventing car doors from being able to be opened. Tesla accepted in a statement that interior door handles are “difficult to identify and operate because their colour is similar to the interior trim.” “In extreme situations such as a severe collision causing the vehicle's low-voltage system to fail, this could hinder occupants from quickly opening the doors to escape and impede rescue efforts by those outside the vehicle, posing a safety hazard,” the statement continued. Recalled vehicles will be fitted with a physical warning label on the interior door and receive a software update to automatically lower the windows in a crash. The Chinese government passed legislation to ban flush door handles earlier this year that will kick in from 1 January 2027.  Cars will only be allowed to be sold in China if they have a mechanical release inside and outside.  It’s not just China where flush door handles are of concern.  The BBC reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States have anecdotes of the door handles not working and leaving children trapped in cars.  The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is Australia's vehicle safety watchdog. ANCAP’s Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg told CarsGuide earlier this year the body would stick with its current review cycle, but still monitor design developments across all markets.  ANCAP recently introduced its 2026 protocols with a bigger focus on preventing crashes rather than just impact testing. The banning of flush door handles will be felt around the world, including Australia, where many cars built in China are sold, both from Chinese and international brands. New cars imported from China to Australia will no longer feature flush door handles from 2027.

Chinese players in Australia look to get even more aggressive as the country's automotive giants try to offset sales slumps in their own market with an aggressive export strategy to help shift excess metal. That's the latest analysis from automotive experts, who point to falling profits or soaring losses in China's saturated new-car market. To put the market there into perspective, there are now more than 130 brands, and there were more than 500 new models launched in the first six months of 2026 alone. “Such an aggressive rollout of new products was far beyond what the market was able to accommodate,” said Fu Bingfeng, secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, at an industry forum in July. New analysis from the US's Automotive News details the challenges facing some of the now-biggest car brands in the world. Many are booming in Australia, but it's a different story in their home market, where oversupply is crippling sales. According to the US site, July marked the seventh consecutive month of market decline in China, with sales down 24 per cent compared to the same period last year. The July result was even more stark, with month on month sales down 25 per cent. Several auto giants have released their six-month financial results, with Geely benefiting from a massive 158 per cent increase in exports to protect profits, which still dropped two per cent. BAIC, which partners with Hyundai on the Elexio, reported a net loss of 1.65 billion yuan (345m), while GAC is forecasting a potential full-year loss of 4.6 billion yuan ($958m). Changan, which will soon launch in Australia, and already has a footprint here through Deepal, says its first-half profit could slip by 68 per cent, while Great Wall Motor reports a similar, though slightly smaller, figure. Domestic pressure is fuelling an export boom, with a total 5.35 million vehicles shipped overseas from January to July, up more than 70 per cent on the same period last year. The export boom will likely increase competition and sharpen prices in Australia, which will be good news for consumers, and the opposite for legacy OEMs battling ever increasing Chinese headwinds.

Geely’s new hybrid family SUV is getting closer to Aussie buyers.  Geely Monjaro is a plug-in hybrid mid-size family SUV that has just been confirmed for the United Kingdom. This means the car is now available in right-hand drive, smoothing its path for an Australian launch. The Monjaro is on the large end of the mid-size SUV scale at 4770mm long, making it a size up on the Toyota RAV4.  It will still be a rival to the RAV4 when it gets here, as well as everything from the MG HS to the Kia Sportage .  It is considered Geely’s flagship SUV, indicating it will sit at the top of the brand’s SUV line-up globally.  The Monjaro is available with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and conventional hybrid power, but it is unclear what Geely will offer Down Under.  The PHEV set-up is the same as the Starray EM-i that combines a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor to produce 160kW and 262Nm.  Hybrid power also comes from a four-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor, making 111kW and 225Nm.  The Monjaro is available with standard 2.0-litre petrol engines in some markets, but don’t expect them in Australia as they would incur fines under our emissions regulations.  It is more likely Australian examples will boast the PHEV set-up as it provides greater performance. The Monjaro hasn't been officially confirmed for a launch in Australia, but it is widely expected to arrive in 2027.  It will likely hit Aussie shores after its UK launch that is scheduled for some time next year.  Pricing details remain a while away, but Geely has confirmed it will sit above the Starray EM-i PHEV that starts from $37,490 (before on-road costs). Expect more details from Geely Australia on the Monjaro’s future in the coming weeks.