Starting in 2027, Volvo will sponsor its Chinese cousin in Europe: if you want a Lynk & Co, you’ll only be able to purchase them at its dealerships.
14/09/2026 12:00
Updated to
14/09/2026 12:00
Geely has found a way to accelerate Lynk & Co’s expansion into Europe without having to build its own extensive commercial infrastructure from scratch. Starting in January 2027, Volvo Cars will become the exclusive distributor of Lynk & Co vehicles in Europe, taking responsibility for its commercial operations and brand presence on the continent.
This decision concludes a process we have been aware of since March. At that time, Volvo Cars and Geely Auto signed a memorandum of understanding to explore this collaboration, but it was still conditional on reaching a final agreement. That step has now been taken, allowing Lynk & Co to leverage Volvo’s commercial structure, dealerships, and service network to reach many more European customers.
Volvo to Sell and Service Lynk & Co Vehicles
This change is significant because Lynk & Co began its European journey in 2020 by focusing on a subscription-based model, away from traditional dealership distribution. Since then, its strategy has evolved toward conventional sales, and the brand now operates in 25 European markets with over 140 sales outlets managed by partners. Part of this growth has been achieved through collaborations with Volvo dealerships.
The new agreement takes this relationship much further. Volvo Cars will manage Lynk & Co’s commercial operations in Europe and make its sales and after-sales infrastructure available to them. There is also a benefit for the Swedish company: its dealers will be able to work with an additional range of vehicles and reach different customers and market segments without Volvo having to develop new products specifically for them.
Lynk & Co, however, will not become a sub-brand of Volvo. Geely insists it will maintain its own identity, products, and customer experience. “This partnership combines Volvo Cars’ established distribution infrastructure with Lynk & Co’s distinctive brand and product lineup,” explains Mo Wang, CEO of Lynk & Co International, who adds that preserving the brand’s independence is one of the goals.
Geely will continue to control the vehicles and global strategy
The division of responsibilities is quite clear. Geely Auto will continue to handle the global design and development of vehicles, their homologation and certification, as well as Lynk & Co’s overall strategy and its operations outside Europe. Volvo will primarily take charge of the European business side. There will be no change in the company’s ownership as a result of this.
This is an important point, mainly due to the complex business relationship between the two companies over the past few years. Lynk & Co originated as a joint project between Geely Auto and Volvo Cars, but Volvo later sold its 30% stake. Zeekr eventually took control of Lynk & Co with a 51% shareholding as part of a reorganization led by Geely, with the transaction completed in February 2025. Volvo ceased to be an shareholder at that point, though it had previously stated it would maintain operational collaborations with Lynk & Co in strategic markets.
The new structure arrives at a time when Lynk & Co is facing challenging business conditions. The brand sold 17,027 cars globally in August, 37% fewer than a year earlier, and from January to August it sold 177,624 units in total, a 15% decline. In contrast, Geely is seeing rapid growth in its international business. It exported 110,094 vehicles during August, a 205% increase year-on-year and setting a new monthly record, accounting for approximately 41% of its total sales.
Europe will play a significant role in that expansion. Lynk & Co currently sells an electrified lineup here, including models such as the 01, 02, and 08. Starting in January 2027, it will have an advantage that few newly arrived Chinese brands can quickly replicate: the backing of a fully established European manufacturer’s sales and service infrastructure. Geely will continue to develop the cars and oversee Lynk & Co, but it will be Volvo that is responsible for driving the brand’s growth in Europe.