Geely will launch its first model developed specifically for Europe in 2027, according to Autocar.
Geely will unveil its first model developed specifically for Europe in 2027, according to Autocar. It is not yet known what kind of vehicle it will be. What is known, however, is the flagship SUV codenamed KO11, the European version of the Galaxy Cruiser 700, which the brand positions as a competitor to the Land Rover Defender.
Currently, Geely sells mainly cars made for China and adapted for local markets in Europe. Dennis Weinel, head of product definition, referred to them as a “legacy portfolio” in an interview with Autocar. The company selected models that fit its initial goals and then adapted them. Now, the changes are set to be more substantial.
KO11: A platform from Lotus, a design from Milan
KO11 shares the platform with Lotus’s upcoming Eletre plug-in hybrid, but it is designed for off-road driving. Its maximum wading depth is 800 mm. The design was developed by Geely’s design center in Milan. Launch is scheduled for 2027, first in Europe and then in other markets.
Production could start in Spain, in collaboration with Ford. Earlier reports mentioned a factory in Valencia and the possibility of using another brand. There is no information available yet on prices or the KO11’s powertrain.
The software will also be adapted for European use. The Flyme system interface differs little from its Chinese version today. The second-generation Flyme, expected in 2027, is set to feature multitasking, split screens, and expandable widgets.
Ten models in the UK by 2030
Besides the KO11, Geely plans to have 10 models in the UK by 2030. It currently sells three there: the EX5, Starray, and EX2. Monjaro PHEV and the KO11 will join them.
The shift from exporting Chinese cars to developing models for Europe mirrors what BYD is doing. The brand launched the Dolphina G in June, its first DM-i hybrid designed for foreign markets, primarily in Europe. Production is set to begin in Hungary. According to export data, around 9,000 Dolphina G DM-i units were shipped overseas in September alone. In total, since its debut, 41,326 cars have been exported.
Geely thus has a model to follow and numbers showing that this approach works. However, Defender can rest easy until the KO11 gets its price and confirmed powertrain.
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