Three days after announcing plans to enter Canada in 2027, Chinese automotive giant Geely made a major statement on the European stage.
On October 12, 2026, Geely Auto Group brought three brands to the Paris Motor Show: Geely Auto, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr. The presentation highlighted vehicles ranging from practical family hybrids to high-performance luxury SUVs, demonstrating the manufacturer’s ambitions across different segments of the global automotive market.
The timing is particularly significant for Canada. With Ottawa allowing a controlled number of Chinese electric vehicles to enter at reduced tariffs, Geely is preparing to establish dealerships, service operations, and a customer base.
Although the manufacturer has not confirmed which models Canadians will receive, its Paris appearance provides a revealing look at the technology, products, and competitive strategy behind its international expansion.
Geely Auto Brings Its Monjaro Hybrid SUV to Paris as Its Canadian Launch Approaches
Geely Auto used the Paris Motor Show to introduce the Monjaro EM-i to European audiences, positioning the plug-in hybrid SUV as a flagship offering for families seeking space, technology, and improved fuel efficiency. The vehicle measures approximately 4.8 metres long and features a 1.5-litre turbocharged hybrid engine, with front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations planned. Its luggage compartment offers 633 litres of storage, expanding to 1,532 litres with the rear seats folded. The cabin includes a 15.4-inch central display, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and an optional head-up display. Geely also emphasized European-focused chassis tuning and available adaptive suspension, highlighting the company’s intention to compete with established manufacturers on comfort and handling rather than price alone. Alongside the Monjaro, Geely displayed the compact electric E2, the electric E5 SUV, and the Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid. Together, these vehicles demonstrate a product strategy spanning battery-electric and hybrid powertrains, rather than relying on a single type of vehicle.
The European presentation followed Geely Auto’s October 9 announcement that it had officially established a Canadian presence and intended to introduce its first vehicles to consumers in 2027. The company has assembled a Canadian leadership team and begun developing retail and service operations. Managing director Bryan Wu described Canada as an important part of Geely’s long-term international expansion, emphasizing the importance of local partnerships and earning customer confidence. The automaker enters this market with considerable scale: Geely Auto Group reported more than 3.02 million vehicle sales worldwide in 2025, including nearly 1.69 million new-energy vehicles. Its Canadian expansion also coincides with a major policy change. Since March 1, 2026, eligible Chinese electric vehicles have been able to enter Canada under an initial annual quota of 49,000 units at a 6.1% tariff, replacing the previous additional 100% surtax. However, Geely has not announced its Canadian models, prices, or dealership locations. The Monjaro’s appearance in Paris should therefore be viewed as evidence of the company’s global capabilities, not confirmation that the SUV will be sold in Canada. The real test will be whether Geely can translate its international manufacturing experience into dependable sales and after-sales support for Canadian motorists.
Lynk & Co Unveils the 07GT as Geely Strengthens Its European Network
Geely’s second major presence in Paris came through Lynk & Co, which made its first appearance at the event and introduced the 07GT to European audiences. Unlike the conventional SUV styling dominating much of the market, the plug-in hybrid 07GT uses a low, elongated sport-touring design combining elements of a shooting brake and a fastback. First presented in China in June 2026, the vehicle arrived in Paris in Chinese-market specification. Lynk & Co has indicated that a future European version will be adapted to meet local requirements, meaning the displayed vehicle should not be mistaken for a fully finalized European retail model. The 07GT appeared alongside the brand’s existing European lineup, including the 01 and 08 plug-in hybrids and the fully electric 02. This variety gives Lynk & Co a presence across several categories of electrified vehicles while offering alternatives for customers who want different combinations of electric driving, long-distance capability, and practical interior space.
The company’s ambitions extend beyond its newest vehicle. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, Lynk & Co now operates in 25 European markets and reports more than 140 partner-operated sales locations. From January 2027, Volvo Cars will become its exclusive distributor in Europe under a finalized commercial agreement with Geely Auto. The partnership will allow Lynk & Co to benefit from established retail infrastructure and servicing capabilities, addressing a challenge that emerging automotive brands often face: convincing consumers they can obtain reliable maintenance and repairs after purchasing an unfamiliar vehicle. This approach is particularly relevant as Chinese manufacturers strengthen their European position. Research cited by Reuters shows Chinese brands captured 10.7% of the European market in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 5.7% a year earlier. Their share of the Western European plug-in hybrid market also exceeded 26%, up from 2.2% two years earlier. Those gains explain why Geely is investing in several distinct brands rather than promoting one nameplate to every buyer. For Canada, however, an important distinction remains: Geely’s confirmed 2027 entry concerns its mainstream Geely Auto brand. Neither Lynk & Co nor the 07GT has been officially announced for Canadian retail sales.
Zeekr Displays an 897-Horsepower Luxury SUV as Geely Expands Beyond Affordable EVs
Zeekr completed Geely’s three-brand appearance with one of the group’s most ambitious vehicles, the Zeekr 9X. Designed in Gothenburg, the six-seat luxury SUV combines a turbocharged gasoline engine with electric motors and a substantial 55-kWh battery. According to the manufacturer’s European specifications, the plug-in hybrid produces up to 897 horsepower, accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, and offers up to 179 kilometres of electric-only driving range under its stated testing conditions. At more than 5.2 metres long, the 9X is designed to compete in the large luxury SUV category rather than the affordable electric vehicle segment. Its interior features three rows of seating, premium materials, and an available 32-speaker Naim audio system. In France, Zeekr has announced a starting price of €119,500, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in January 2027. The company also presented an updated version of its all-electric Zeekr 7X, featuring revised driver-assistance technology and charging capability of up to 450 kW on certain configurations. Under suitable charging conditions, the manufacturer targets a 10% to 80% charging time of approximately 10.5 minutes for the fastest-charging variant.
Zeekr’s European growth demonstrates why Geely believes it can compete well beyond the budget vehicle market. The brand reported that its European deliveries increased 200% between January and September 2026 compared with the corresponding period in 2025. It now operates in 22 European markets and is targeting a network of 200 sales locations by the end of 2026. Across Geely Auto, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr, combined European monthly sales exceeded 10,000 vehicles for the first time in September. Geely’s wider corporate presence also gives the group experience with established Western automotive markets through its connections with Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus, brands already familiar to Canadian consumers. Nevertheless, Geely has made no official commitment to introduce Zeekr’s luxury vehicles in Canada as part of its 2027 launch. Canada’s import arrangement also includes affordability provisions, gradually reserving a greater share of the Chinese EV quota for vehicles with import values of C$35,000 or less. That creates a different commercial environment from the premium European market Zeekr is pursuing. Ultimately, Geely’s Paris presentation illustrates the breadth of its engineering and branding ambitions, but success in Canada will depend on more practical considerations: competitive pricing, regulatory approval, reliable dealership support, and vehicles that meet local expectations. The company has confirmed its arrival. Its next challenge is demonstrating why Canadian buyers should choose its products over the brands they already know.
