Geely is accelerating its localization strategy in Latin America, with Renault Geely Brazil announcing plans to begin local production of the Geely EX2 at the Ayrton Senna Complex plant. The Ayrton Senna Complex launches local production of the Geely EX2, with factory employees posing for a group photo. The EX2 will become the second model produced under the Renault-Geely partnership in Brazil, following the EX5 EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV. It will also be the first battery-electric vehicle ever built at the factory. Built on Geely’s Global Electric Architecture (GEA), the EX2 is scheduled to roll off the production line in the fourth quarter of 2026. The EX5 EM-i is expected to enter production in the third quarter. The move will give Geely a localized product lineup spanning both battery-electric vehicles and hybrids in Brazil. It also marks a deeper commitment to the Latin American market. A key advantage lies in the manufacturing base itself. The Ayrton Senna Complex has served as one of Renault’s core production hubs in Brazil for more than four decades. By leveraging Renault’s established manufacturing system, supply chain resources, and dealership network, Geely can expand at lower cost, with faster execution than building a new plant from scratch. Ayrton Senna Complex factory The latest project extends a broader partnership formed after Geely acquired a 26.4% stake in Renault Brazil in November 2025. The two companies had already collaborated in South Korea, sharing platforms, technologies, and manufacturing resources to accelerate vehicle development and production. Geely’s latest Brazil investment comes as the country’s automotive market continues to gain momentum. Brazil remains the largest automotive market in Latin America and the sixth-largest globally. Data from Brazil’s National Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (ANFAVEA) show new vehicle registrations reached 2.69 million units in 2025, up 2.1% year-on-year. Sales in May 2026 climbed to 263,600 units, up 23.7% from a year earlier, marking the fastest growth rate in nearly two years. Cumulative sales during the first five months reached 1.099 million units, up 18.6%. Geely has been expanding rapidly within that growth cycle. The company sold 5,173 vehicles in Brazil in May 2026, setting a new monthly record since entering the market. The EX2 has emerged as one of Geely’s key growth drivers. The model entered Brazil in November 2025 through Renault’s dealership network, selling 835 units during its launch month. Monthly sales rose to 4,321 units in May 2026, making the EX2 the second best-selling battery-electric vehicle in Brazil, trailing only the BYD Dolphin Mini. Geely EX2 Rising demand prompted Renault Geely Brazil to localize production of the model, boosting capacity while strengthening competitiveness. The decision also reflects a broader industry shift. As Brazil gradually restores import tariffs on electric vehicles and raises localization requirements, Chinese automakers are increasingly moving from vehicle exports toward local manufacturing operations.
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