Geely will manufacture a plug-in hybrid SUV with over 1,000 horsepower in Spain.
A few weeks ago, Ford reached an agreement with Geely to allow the Chinese company to use part of its Almussafes (Valencia) plant to manufacture cars. Both companies announced the creation of a joint venture to implement this deal, as well as the assignment of five new models to the factory, which is currently operating far below its maximum capacity.
In addition to the current Kuga, a Bronco-family SUV will be added, while Geely will produce two electrified crossovers. It has also been confirmed that Ford will develop a new model (likely the fifth generation of the Focus) using Geely’s platform. With these five vehicles, Almussafes is expected to reach an annual production of 500,000 units.
All indications suggest that Geely’s first model assembled at its Valencia facility will be the E2, an electric utility vehicle that is currently the best-selling sedan in the Chinese market. However, the second vehicle from this Chinese brand remained a mystery... though a recent report published by Automotive News seems to shed some light on the matter.
It appears that Geely is considering producing the Galaxy Cruiser 700 in Valencia, an SUV with a frame-based structure that ironically bears some resemblance to the Ford Bronco. It is a plug-in hybrid that, thanks to a combination of a turbocharged gasoline engine and three electric motors, delivers 1,129 horsepower.
The Almussafes plant will produce a total of five models: two from Ford, two from Geely, and one joint development
Depending on the version, its battery has a capacity of between 47 and 70 kWh. It is highly likely that the European version will receive a different name, as Geely is not using the Galaxy subbrand in our market. Among the main competitors for this model are the Land Rover Defender and the Mercedes-Benz Class G, although the Chinese offering is likely to have a more competitive price.
This is not the only Chinese-made SUV to be assembled soon in a Spanish plant, as the newly introduced Santana Cajal, which currently comes only in diesel version but will later be available as an extended-range electric model, will also be manufactured in Linares (Jaén).
The Cajal is based on the BAIC B40 Pro, as Santana has entered into a partnership with the Chinese group. Nevertheless, it does not seem likely that this Andalusian SUV targets the same audience as the Galaxy Cruiser 700, since the latter is one of Geely’s most technologically advanced models and thus likely has a more aspirational focus.
Source | Automotive News Europe