Geely is launching two models in our market, including the all-electric compact SUV E5. (Photo: © Geely)
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July 2026
The name Geely rarely receives much attention, but its brands certainly do. The Chinese company has long since established itself in the European automotive world with brands like Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus. Now, Geely is competing under its own banner for the first time.
The Chinese automotive group Geely launches its official market presence in Germany. While the name of the parent company is still relatively unknown in this country, its subsidiaries and brands are much better known. The portfolio includes, among others... Volvo, Lotus, Polestar and LEVC, the manufacturer of the legendary London taxis, also known as black cabs. Furthermore, Geely operates a joint venture with the Mercedes-Benz Group a joint venture for the Smart brand. CEO Li Shufu It also holds around ten percent of the shares in Mercedes-Benz.
Now also wants Geely To establish a foothold under one's own name. launch Two models are offered in the high-volume SUV segment: the all-electric Geely E5 and Plug-in hybrid Starray EM-iThe E5 starts at €31.924 net and positions itself in the vicinity of established competitors such as the VW ID.4, the skoda enyaq or the Ford ExplorerThe electric motor of the Chinese compact electric car delivers 160 kW (218 hp) and provides 320 Newton meters of torque. This ensures respectable driving performance. Two battery options are available for energy supply: 60,2 kWh and 68,4 kWh.
During the pit stop at the fast charger, the Chinese vehicle shows a maximum charging capacity of 120 or 135 kW. somewhat reserved, Loud Geely Ranges of 430 to 450 kilometers are possible. Charging from 30 to 80 percent should only take 20 minutes. A real highlight is the in-house "Short Blade Battery": With 3.500 charging cycles, the lithium iron phosphate battery is designed to last for one million kilometers. At the same time, the cell chemistry is free of cobalt and nickel.
In contrast to E5 is the Geely Starray EM-i a plug-in hybrid and, with a length of 4,74 meters, positions itself in the segment of VW TiguanPrices for the Starray EM-i start at €27.723 (net). It features a 1,5-liter gasoline engine paired with a 160 kW electric motor, resulting in a system output of 193 kW (262 hp). Two battery sizes, 18,4 kWh and 29,8 kWh respectively, provide an electric range of 83 and 136 kilometers. The combined Total range According to WLTP, the range is just over 1.000 kilometers.
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The charging process also reveals the Starray Practical for everyday use: The smaller battery takes around 20 minutes to charge from 30 to 80 percent, while the larger one only takes 16 minutes. Inside, the SUV offers generous space and a trunk capacity of 528 to 2.065 liters.
At our first meeting Both models impress with solid performance and generous interior space. Overall, ride comfort is also satisfactory. The solidly built interior is dominated by a... highly digitized, reduced Operating concept with large central screenHowever, the almost complete absence of traditional buttons proves to be a disadvantage in everyday driving. impractical. The somewhat convoluted menu is an unnecessary distraction from the traffic, and the language assistant does not always reliably execute the shouted commands. Also, the assistance systems They sometimes intervene too abruptly. The lane keeping assist, in particular, sometimes acts erratically. over-committed. Furthermore, there are practical weaknesses: Tall people can bump their heads when loading and unloading the trunk, as the tailgate does not open wide enough.
Given the comparatively low entry prices However, some of the aforementioned weaknesses are put into perspective. Both the E5 (€37.990) and the Starray EM-i (€32.990) are significantly cheaper than many established competitors. Technically, both models are based on the Global Energy-efficient Architecture (GEA), a platform for electrified powertrains. Geely underscores its commitment to quality with a long warranty of eight years or 200.000 kilometers.
The Chinese manufacturer deliberately focuses on distribution classical structuresInstead of relying solely on online direct sales, Geely is building a classic dealer and service network The initial rollout will focus on metropolitan areas such as Hamburg, Munich, Aachen, and Osnabrück. At least 50 locations are planned by the end of the year. "Germany is one of the most important automotive markets in Europe," he says. Zack Zhang, Managing Director of Geely Auto Germany.
Geely's German headquarters stated that the number of sales partners nationwide is expected to increase to 150 by the end of 2027 and that comprehensive coverage should be achieved by 2028.
In parallel, Geely is currently building a own spare parts warehouse in Germany. Until commissioning, supplies will be handled via the European central warehouse in Amsterdam. The manufacturer cooperates exclusively with [partner name] for financing, leasing, and insurance offers. Consors FinanzThe E5 and Starray EM-i models are just the beginning of a Model offensive: The Geely E2, an affordable entry-level electric vehicle in the B-segment, is slated for launch in September 2026. The company plans to expand its European product range to more than ten model lines by 2028.
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