Geely officially enters Aussie market

GEELY Auto Group is set to enter the Australian market in the first half of next year (2025), debuting its latest model, the EX5 SUV, as its local opener.

The Chinese manufacturer – and the parent of Lotus, Polestar, Volvo and Zeekr – says its arrival Down Under forms a strategic part of its global expansion, bringing what it describes as “cutting-edge electric vehicles to Australian consumers”.

Geely says it is committed to a continued roll-out of diverse, high-quality and accessible vehicles tailored for the Australian market, adding that it is positioned to make a “significant impact by “offering cutting-edge technology and innovative features, providing vehicles that truly cater to Australian users’ needs and expectations”.

According to its maker, the EX5 is offered in both right- and left-hand drive configurations, meeting the regulatory requirements of 89 countries globally.

Pricing for the Geely EX5 is yet to be advised, however it is expected to significantly undercut the similarly sized Tesla Model Y which is priced from $55,900 plus on-road costs.

The Geely EX5 measures 4615mm in length, 1901mm in width, 1670mm in height and rides on a 2750mm wheelbase. It is offered in other markets with a choice of 50kWh and 60kWh lithium ion phosphate (LFP) battery packs offering a driving range of 440km and 530km on the CLTC scale.

All variants are powered by a front-mounted electric motor offering 160kW and 320Nm to the front wheels. Geely claims a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds.

While equipment and specification details for the Australian market have yet to be announced, GoAuto understand the Geely EX5 features 19-inch alloy wheels, faux-leather upholstery with front-seat heating, massage, and ventilation functions, head-up display, LED ambient cabin lighting, a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel, a 15.4-inch infotainment array, and a powered tailgate.

Safety technologies include adaptive cruise control, AEB, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic sign recognition.

The EX5 is underpinned by the firm’s Geely Electric Architecture platform and suspended by a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear arrangement. The model lists a drag coefficient of just 0.27.

The news comes just months after Geely announced its intention to sell the Riddara (RD6) electric ute Down Under, the brand saying in May that the model will be available in the Australian market soon.

Geely has spoken openly about wanting to roll out the ute globally and there are other hints that Australia is hot on its radar. The Riddara name was trademarked in Australia by Geely early last year, which clearly signals its intent.

The right-hand drive model will be rear-wheel drive and will use a single 200kW/384Nm motor with either a 63kWh or 86kWh battery.

A driving range of 385km for the standard 63kWh battery and 517km for the 86kWh long-range option puts the mid-size ute ahead of its one competitor, the LDV eT60 with its 330km of range.

The Riddara uses Geely’s SEA monocoque architecture, as opposed to the ladder-frame chassis design usually found on utes, which means a braked towing capacity of around 2500kg and a payload of between 755 and 755kg depending on battery type.