Volvo will take over Lynk & Co’s distribution in Europe beginning in 2027. Geely is returning to traditional dealerships.
Starting in January 2027, Volvo Cars will become the exclusive distributor of Lynk & Co in Europe, taking over its sales, marketing, and after-sales services. Geely confirmed that there will be no change in ownership, with this move aimed at helping the brand whose sales dropped by 37 percent year-on-year in August. For customers, this means less experimentation with subscription models and more of a traditional network of showrooms and service centers.
In September 2020, Lynk & Co primarily promoted itself in Europe through subscription services, which offered flexible access to cars for a monthly fee. Now the brand is moving in the opposite direction, focusing on a scalable dealership model—one that is easier to expand.
This is not a minor shift in strategy. Lynk & Co was originally developed as a project by Geely and Volvo starting in 2017, with a strong European focus and a different sales approach compared to traditional brands. Today, we are returning to a more predictable solution. And perhaps one that is more grounded.
Volvo takes Europe, Geely keeps the products and strategy
The agreement is quite clear. Volvo Cars will assume full responsibility for market operations and the Lynk & Co brand in Europe, while Geely will retain control over global product development, design, research and development, homologation, and the overall brand strategy.
In practice, Lynk & Co will gain access to Volvo’s existing sales and service network in Europe. This may be more important than catchy slogans about a new mobility model. EV or PHEV customers want to know where they can buy a car and who will repair it. Here, Volvo provides a ready-made answer.
Interestingly, this move was partially anticipated earlier. In November 2024, sister brand Zeekr announced plans to acquire shares and inject capital into Lynk & Co in order to gain 51% control of the company, including buying back Volvo Cars’ 30% stake. The transaction was completed in February 2025. Volvo stated at the time that despite selling its shares, it wanted to continue operating in partnership with Lynk & Co in selected markets. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing now.
Lynk & Co sales decline while Geely’s exports soar
This decision wasn’t made out of nowhere. Lynk & Co sold 17,027 vehicles in August, which is 37% less than the previous year. After 8 months of 2026, the brand has recorded 177,624 registrations, representing a 15% year-on-year decline.
At the same time, Geely is progressing at a completely different pace in foreign markets. August exports rose by 205 percent to 110,094 vehicles. It was the eighth consecutive record-breaking month, with exports accounting for about 41 percent of the group’s total sales.
Geely’s overall sales in August increased by 8.01 percent year-on-year to 270,194 vehicles, despite a weaker domestic market. The company also raised its annual export target from 640,000 to 920,000 vehicles. After eight months, it has already shipped 690,985 vehicles, accounting for around 75 percent of the new target.
The implication for Europe is simple. Geely isn’t shutting down Lynk & Co; it’s trying to put it on more conventional but proven footing. The question is whether this will be enough, given that the brand has already lost its “different” aura. What do you think? Will the Volvo network help Lynk & Co in Europe, or is it too late?
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