Geely is preparing a new mid-size pickup globally set to arrive in 2028. Ford’s CEO has openly expressed admiration for modern Chinese cars. Geely suggested developing a new platform may be too expensive for Ford. Ford’s rumored efforts to license technology from Geely and potentially build models around a Chinese platform may have hit a wall in the US, but Geely isn’t taking the hint. The Chinese giant is openly pitching itself as a development partner for the next Ranger, and a senior executive just said the quiet part out loud. Ford would surely have reservations, but if such a tie-up ever happened, it would underscore how influential Chinese automakers have become to legacy brands. Geely already works with several car manufacturers around the world, including Renault and Mercedes-Benz. Leveraging one of its platforms could help Ford reduce development costs and timelines for a future Ranger. Read: Ford Publicly Calls Chinese Tech A Threat, Privately It Was Trying To Bring It To America While recently speaking with Carsales, Geely Auto International vice president Alex Gu said the current Ford Ranger, largely designed and developed in Australia, runs afoul of the country’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NEVS) limits, except in plug-in hybrid form. Geely is actively developing a new pickup of its own, expected to launch in 2028, and believes it could serve as a suitable base for a next-generation Ranger. When asked directly whether a future pickup could ride on a shared Ford platform, Gu replied, “Why not?” He then added that it “should be” co-developed with a Western automaker. Geely To Ford’s Rescue? “Either they spend a huge investment and a long time to develop a new-energy platform, or they find a brand like Geely for collaboration,” he added. “Today, if you independently create a platform [it takes] a long time, and huge investment … for me today, if I am the owner of a legacy brand, I think [collaboration with the Chinese] is more efficient.” Partnerships in the mid-size pickup truck segment are nothing new. For example, the new Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton/L200 are essentially the same vehicle, albeit with different styling. With models like the BYD Shark 6 shaking up the industry in Australia, it seems Geely is counting on Ford feeling pressured to join forces with it. Ford said it wasn’t interested in commenting on the remarks made by Gu. It also recently denied reports that it was thinking about working with Geely in the US, potentially providing the Chinese brand with an “on-ramp” into the country. Nevertheless, with Ford boss Jim Farley openly expressing his admiration for new rivals from China, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Ford partner up with a company like Geely. Geely Galaxy M9