The owner of Polestar and Volvo, Geely, is launching a new “high-end electrified product series”. This product series is expected to take top EV contenders like Tesla and BYD. It is the first fully electric vehicle from the sub-brand, planned to launch before the end of the year.
Chinese automotive giant Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd., or simply Geely as its best known, began its quest toward sustainable transportation shortly after acquiring well-known Swedish automaker Volvo from Ford in 2010. The acquisition gave Geely access to Volvo’s advanced technology and safety, design, and engineering expertise. Perhaps, more importantly, Geely also gained access to Volvo’s racing partner, Polestar, which the automaker bought out in 2015.
Geely and Volvo deepened their relationship in 2021, vowing to collaborate on next-generation electric drive technology. The partnership has paid off with the success of Volvo’s C40 and XC40 Recharge electric SUVs, as sales more than doubled. However, the Geely brand extends far beyond just Volvo. Geely also operates a brand of vehicles under its name alongside Geometry – its mass-market EV unit, and Zeekr, its premium smart EV brand.
Flagship event
At a flagship event in Hangzhou Thursday, the Chinese automaker announced that its premium electrified series would be called Geely Galaxy. Last month, Geely teased a mysterious electric sedan that vaguely resembled a longer Tesla Model S and Lotus (another Geely brand) combination. The Geely Galaxy brand will launch seven new electrified products, including three fully electric vehicles under the pure Galaxy E range. The first up will be the Galaxy E8, scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2023. According to the automaker, Geely’s newest sub-brand will feature its latest battery safety technology and new Galaxy N-Operating system, allowing its models the fastest system startup and response in its class.
While Volvo and Polestar are brands familiar to Americans, there are additional Geely offerings in the electric vehicle world. These include Geometry, its mass-market EV brand, and its current premium EV brand, Zeekr. With this announcement, the Yinhe, or Galaxy as most American publications refer to it, will join Geely’s lineup as the top-level electrified brand. The first model expected from this new vehicle brand is the Yinhe L7 SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. According to Geely, this new SUV will have a top speed of around 120 mph and reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.5 seconds. Fuel economy is predicted to come in around 5.23 L/100 km, or 45 mpg, with a total driving range of more than 850 miles. The L7 is scheduled to launch in the second quarter of this year.
