Chinese car brand Geely Auto confirms its coming to Irish market early next year

Geely Auto is the latest Chinese car brand to confirm entry to the Irish market.

Though the car company’s parent, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, already has interests in brands such as Volvo and Polestar, the Geely name has remained largely in the background in Ireland.

Geely Auto is already present in 27 European markets, and the brand was introduced to the UK market in October last year.

Its model line-up here will start with three models: the electric Geely E2 city car, the electric Geely E5 SUV and the Geely Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV.

There is no confirmation yet of future model additions or whether it will also introduce its Zeekr or Lynk brands to the Irish market. Last month it unveiled a large SUV, the Monjaro EM-i hybrid, at the Paris auto show.

The Irish operation will be directly controlled by the company, rather than operating via a local Irish distributor. It will be led by Phil Eaglesfield, chief commercial officer, Geely Auto Ireland.

Eaglesfield was previously deputy director of international sales for the London Electric Vehicle Company, the Geely-owned manufacturer of electric London black cabs. Before then, he was the UK country director for ill-fated EV carmaker Fisker, having spent 28 years with Aston Martin.

Geely Auto joins the ranks of other Chinese brands now on the Irish market, including BYD, Xpeng, MG, Maxus and Leapmotor.

According to Paddy Comyn, Geely Auto Ireland’s head of public relations, planning for the dealer network is well under way. The company hopes to start delivering cars to customers in the first quarter of next year.

Geely Auto will debut its model line-up at the Nevo Electric Vehicle Show at Dublin’s RDS Simmonscourt this weekend.