From Refrigerators to Mercedes-Benz
The story of Geely (which means "Lucky" in Mandarin) is the story of Li Shufu. He started in 1986 making refrigerator parts with borrowed money. Then he made motorcycles. Then he decided to make cars.
His early cars were rough copies of Mercedes-Benz sedans based on FAW chassis. People laughed. But Li Shufu had a vision: "A car is just a sofa with four wheels." He was wrong about the engineering, but right about the business. He eventually became so successful that he bought nearly 10% of Mercedes-Benz (Daimler), becoming its largest single shareholder for a time.
The Snake Swallowing the Elephant
In 2010, the automotive world was shocked. Ford was selling Volvo, and the buyer was Geely. It was described as "a snake trying to swallow an elephant."
Analysts predicted Geely would destroy Volvo's quality. Instead, Li Shufu did something brilliant: He wrote a check and then left Volvo alone. He let the Swedes engineer the cars, and he just provided the funding and the factory access in China. It is now considered one of the most successful acquisitions in history.
The "Super-Group" Portfolio
Today, Geely is a massive holding company that functions like the VW Group. Look at what they own or control:
- Volvo & Polestar: Swedish safety and EV performance.
- Lotus: The legendary British sports car maker (now making electric SUVs).
- Zeekr: The premium tech-focused EV brand.
- Lynk & Co: The subscription-based "hipster" brand.
- LEVC: The company that makes the iconic London Black Cabs.
CMA: The Swedish Heart
The secret weapon of modern Geely cars (like the Coolray, Tugella, or Monjaro) is the architecture. They use the CMA platform (Compact Modular Architecture), co-developed with Volvo.
This means if you buy a high-end Geely, you are often getting the chassis, safety cage, and 1.5L/2.0L Turbo engines found in a Volvo XC40, but for half the price. It is the best example of "trickle-down technology" in the industry.
Buying Advice: The Tech Bargain
Geely cars offer incredible value, but keep this in mind:
- The Engine: The 3-cylinder 1.5L turbo engine used in many Geelys is the same one used in the Volvo XC40. It is reliable, punchy, but can be a bit vibrate-y at idle.
- Electronics: Geely packs their cars with screens and cameras. Ensure the software has the latest updates, as early versions can be buggy.
Geely proves that you don't need 100 years of history to build a legacy; you just need ambition and a very good checkbook.