New brand Geely to launch in UK – with the help of Lotus

Lotus owner Geely has confirmed it will be launching its first self-branded car in the UK later this year – after receiving help from the famed British sports car brand.

Geely Auto will start selling the EX5 SUV, a rival to the Skoda Enyaq and Kia EV6, later this summer, with first deliveries in Q4 2025. It will be the first in a range of passenger cars planned for the UK.

EV enthusiasts and company car drivers are both understood to be key targets for the new Geely EX5, prices of which could start from around £35,000 here in the UK.

The new Geely EX5 is already on sale in the right-hand-drive Australian market, where it has a 60kWh battery with a range of around 270 miles.

Hopes are high after it was confirmed Lotus Engineering has been evaluating the new Geely EX5’s performance for UK roads.  

Geely Auto UK general manager Mike Yang said the EX5 “is a great product with several core features that will appeal to a British audience.

“However, we’re aware that UK customers have unique demands… for that reason, before we release the car for sale, we’re working with the experts at Lotus Engineering to make sure we have a car that’s in line with expectations.”

Lotus Engineering has been assessing the chassis and dynamics of the Geely EX5, with the car undergoing “subjective and objective assessment by Lotus Engineering dynamics experts on roads, the Lotus test track and a multi-post rig.

“This independent report is a strong foundation for any future tuning of the Geely EX5 tailored to European roads and customer driving styles.”

It remains to be seen whether this will lead to UK-specific changes by the time it is launched – and even the potential return of the famous ‘Handling by Lotus’ badge?

The UK launch is part of Geely Auto’s ambitious globalisation plans, with the firm now meeting regulations to sell vehicles in almost 90 countries.

Last year, Geely Auto set a new global sales record of 2.1 million vehicles, up 34% in a year. Export sales were up by more than half, with the growth plans now stepping up further.

In 2025 alone, Geely Auto predicts it will add more than 300 overseas sales and service outlets, taking it up to more than 1,100 worldwide dealers by the end of the year.

The UK market is “one of the key regions for the marque’s globalisation plans.

Other brands in the wider Geely portfolio include Volvo, Polestar and the UK’s LEVC taxi firm.