What is the development history of Geely Automobile?
2 Answers
In 1986, Geely started its business; in 1996, Geely Group Co., Ltd. was established; in 1997, Geely entered the automobile industry; in 2002, Geely Automobile ranked among the top ten Chinese automobile enterprises; in 2003, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd. was established; in 2010, it acquired Volvo Cars; in 2012, it entered the Fortune Global 500; in 2018, it acquired a 9.69% voting stake in Daimler, becoming its largest shareholder, etc. Relevant information: Geely Automobile: Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd. (Geely Automobile) is the only private passenger car production and operation enterprise among the top ten domestic automobile industry enterprises in China, established in 1986. Industries involved: After thirty years of construction and development, it has achieved brilliant results in automobiles, motorcycles, automobile engines, transmissions, automotive electronics, and automobile parts.
Let me start from the beginning of Geely's history. In the 1980s and 1990s, Li Shufu initially made his start by producing refrigerator parts, and it wasn't until 1997 that Geely truly entered the automotive industry, launching economical models like the Haoqing, which imitated Toyota. At that time, the cars were cheap but often had minor issues, such as unresponsive brakes or excessive noise. Later, Geely penetrated rural and small city markets with its low-price strategy and sold quite well. After 2000, they independently designed the Free Cruiser, improving quality gradually and building some reputation. The game-changer came in 2010 with the bold acquisition of Volvo, absorbing international safety standards and making increasingly reliable cars. Nowadays, new models like the Xingyue adopt electric platforms, featuring luxurious interiors and enhanced performance. Geely's transformation from a copycat to a leading brand mirrors the leap of China's automotive industry—every time I test drive a new model, I can't help but give it a thumbs up.