Chinese automaker Geely, which counts Volvo as one of a roster of automotive brands it currently controls, is reportedly planning to use Volvo’s existing European facilities to produce EVs for other brands within its portfolio – which could include Zeekr, Lynk & Co, and its own-brand Geely models.
Another Chinese EV manufacturer considers European production
The move, set to begin in 2028, would mark another significant step in Chinese manufacturers moving some of their production to Europe. Volvo currently has two European factories in operation across Belgium and Sweden, and a third facility is currently under construction in Slovakia, which will be dedicated to building fully-electric vehicles only. All of these are potential locations where Geely could allow more of its vehicles to be built within Europe, and more specifically, within the European Union – allowing it to avoid costly import tariffs currently applied against electric cars built in China.
Geely has already been exploring European EV production through an alternative channel, after it announced a manufacturing tie-up with Ford earlier this year which will see it build two of its electric SUVs at Ford’s factory in Valencia, Spain. It’s far from the only Chinese manufacturer implementing European production, however. BYD’s brand new EU-located plant in Hungary is expected to become operational later this year, producing models such as the BYD Dolphin Surf. Additionally, a joint venture between Stellantis and China’s Dongfeng is set to see Dongfeng EVs built in France in the future.
No timeline or model line-up has been confirmed for Geely’s European production plan, but platform sharing gives us a hint. Volvo’s Belgium-produced EX30 EV runs on the SEA2 platform, the same platform powering the Zeekr X and Lynk & Co 02. Therefore, both could be models that Geely considers producing in Europe.
