Efficiency, accessibility and trust are the ingredients behind Geely Italia's recipe for supporting the automotive energy transition.
And while China's president, Xi Jinping, promises a 7–10 per cent reduction in net CO2 emissions by 2030, officially announcing the commitment to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by a share of between 7 and 10 per cent and the goal of "multiplying wind and solar sixfold", there is another China — one that is leading the electrified (and more accessible) transition of the automobile.
That is the Geely group, still largely unknown in Italy in its own right, but which, through Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, manages brands such as Volvo, Lynk&Co and Polestar. Before getting into the details, a few more facts: founded in 1997 and headquartered in Hangzhou, China, Geely is a group that collectively employs more than 50,000 people, with 12 production plants and 5 research and development centres spread across China and Europe, as well as design studios in Asia and Europe (the latest of which is also in Milan).
To get a sense of the scale: in 2024, Geely sold a combined total of more than 2.17 million units worldwide across its managed brands. One figure stands out: across its various Chinese plants in Hangzhou, Ningbo, Taizhou, Chengdu, Jinzhong and Xi'an, Geely — thanks to an innovative and fully automated factory model — produces up to 30 cars an hour (one every 2 minutes), with robots connected to cloud services monitoring materials and production, automatically triggering the delivery of required components.
Can a car be guaranteed for its entire useful life? It might sound like a provocation — and yet… The answer in a moment. In the meantime, for those wishing to dig deeper, the Chinese group Geely has published its 2024 sustainability report, a lengthy and complex document that nonetheless clearly explains the group's strategies and practices across ESG dimensions, from climate neutrality to environmental protection, from governance and the value chain to employee rights. But let us return to the Italian debut and the announcement, last July, of the official entry of Geely Italia into the market, with the launch of two models aimed at Italy that are already available.
The first is the Geely EX5, a compact electric SUV that qualifies for incentives with a starting price of 38,900 euros, and the second is the hybrid Starray EM-i (prices from 34,900 euros). And to return to the opening question — yes indeed, in both cases the Chinese brand is offering in Italy a lifetime warranty (reserved for the first one thousand buyers only) covering the new vehicle excluding the battery, "a signal of trust in the quality and reliability of the vehicles, a commitment to putting the customer first", a manufacturer's statement explains.
Geely Auto, which plans to reach around a hundred dealerships (there will be 15 by October) over the next 18 months, relies on Jameel Motors for distribution in Italy — a company active in more than 10 countries where it represents brands such as Toyota, Byd and MG, "a company that demonstrates a profound sense of environmental and social responsibility, giving back to the country in which it operates value and gratitude for contributing to its development and wellbeing", stressed Marco Santucci, CEO of Geely Italia.
The aim is to establish itself as a reliable brand in a country where "Italy, which for us represents a strategic and highly stimulating market, combining automotive passion, attention to design and a growing sensitivity towards sustainable mobility", explained Santucci. A debut that gets underway with the electric EX5, an electric SUV of relatively compact dimensions (4.61 metres, the same segment as other electrics such as the Nissan Ariya or the Hyundai Ioniq 5).
Equipped with a 160 kW electric motor (218 in the old horsepower measure) powered by a 60 kWh battery (guaranteed for 8 years, 6 for the car) on a 400-volt platform, the EX5 promises around 430 kilometres of range; charging accepts up to 11 kW with a domestic wallbox (charging time approximately 6 hours), while DC fast-charging speed is only moderate (from 30 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes) — some rivals do better. The EX5 has already earned 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating, achieved last April.
Inside, the cabin offers a clean design with well-chosen materials (the use of eco-leather is a welcome touch) and a quality level in line with European standards. The dashboard is dominated by a large 15.4-inch touchscreen, while a second 10-inch display is dedicated to the driver. Physical controls are few, space is decent, and the seats are comfortable — with heating, cooling and massage functions.
There are three driving modes: Eco for maximum efficiency, Standard offering a good balance between performance and range, and Sport — all with a noticeable and appreciable effect on accelerator response and overall performance. Regenerative braking feels somewhat weak, and the "one pedal" option found on other models — which reduces reliance on the brakes — is absent.
As mentioned, safety is given great attention, both in terms of the Adas driver assistance systems — which include an effective autonomous emergency braking system and a driver fatigue and distraction monitoring system — and lane keeping, which gently corrects the trajectory when drifting out of lane and also intervenes in certain more critical situations. Comfort? Good in all conditions, thanks in part to the rather soft suspension. Overall, the Geely EX5 presents itself as an electric car ideal for families: a well-equipped SUV with an attractive price point.