Geely Reveals EC7-EV with "Detroit Electric Technology"

Geely Automobile Group of China has revealed an all-electric vehicle dubbed the EC7-EV, based on the brand’s Emgrand EC7 model. What’s interesting about the model is the badge it bears, which says “Detroit Electric Technology,” which apparently means it was jointly-developed by the two companies.

Work on the car began some three years ago, and the EC7-EV is set to go on sale in China in the first quarter of next year. Geely claims it wants to sell 3,000 units in the first 12 months, a figure which it expects to grow to 30,000 in three years’ time.

Read more »

Geely KC Fastback Concept Appears Ahead of Shanghai Auto Show

Another sedan concept has been added to the list of world premieres at the 2013 Shanghai motor show in China. This time it’s the Geely KC, a conceptual proposal for a mid-size sedan measuring 4,960mm (195.2 inches) long with a 2,880mm (113 inches) wheelbase. There have been rumors that the car may be based on the present-day S80, but Geely did not confirm this. Read more »

Volvo to Launch Next XC90 in 2014, will Be the First Car Developed with Geely

Volvo will introduce its first all-new vehicle developed under the ownership of China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in late 2014. The announcement was made by Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson, who added that the car will be a successor for to the XC90 SUV.

The platform for the next-generation XC90 is being engineered in Sweden and will also be used by the successor to the S80 sedan. The platform is known internally as SPA, which stands for Scalable Product Architecture, as it can accommodate various power trains, including Volvo’s first production plug-in hybrid system.

Read more »

Stefan Jacoby Steps Down as Volvo's CEO, is Replaced by Hakan Samuelsson

Stefan Jacoby's tenure as CEO of the Volvo Car Group has ended after only a little over two years with the Swedish carmaker announcing that he is being replaced by Håkan Samuelsson, currently Board member and former chief of MAN trucking, effective immediately.

Even though Jacoby did suffer a mild stroke last month, the vice chairman of Volvo Car Group, Hans-Olov Olsson told reporters that that his health was not the reason why Volvo's board members decided to replace him.

Read more »

Peter Horbury Talks About the Future of Chinese Auto Design

Unlike other powerhouses in the auto industry from Germany, Japan and the U.S., Chinese carmakers are still trying to find their way when it comes to design, with a sizable portion of domestic brands simply copying styling elements or even vehicles in whole from Western brands.

There are of course plenty of other vehicle manufacturers from China that are experimenting with designs in a bid to develop their own individual and distinct styles with mixed results.

One designer who is not only closely observing what is going on in China but is also participating in the process of defining the indigenous auto design is Peter Horbury, who last year moved to China to take over the role of senior vice president of design at Geely, Volvo’s corporate sibling under the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.

Read more »

It's All About the Grille: Geely Englon SC7 Saloon and Hatchback Concepts

You would be forgiven to think that the design team behind the Bentley EXP 9 F study from Geneva had something to do with the styling of the Geely Englon SC7 concepts from the Auto China 2012 in Beijing.

However, you may be very surprised to know that the SC7-RV hatchback is based on one of Geely Englon's older studies from 2010 on a replacement for the classic London Cab, the TXN.

Read more »