New Chinese brand’s name is out of this world
Chinese car-maker Geely has some pretty interestingly named brands within its portfolio including Zeekr, Lynk & Co and Polestar, and now it’s reached into the heavens for its latest project – Milky Way.
Actually, to be accurate, Milky Way is how the electrified prestige brand’s Chinese name Yinhe is being translated for now. But when it is officially revealed this Thursday (February 23), it could be Galaxy or something else again.
Ahead of the official launch, Milky Way has teased two models, a battery-electric sedan in January and a plug-in hybrid compact SUV this week.
Of course, we’re particularly interested in Geely’s model expansion because some of its brands are already sold in Australia and more are planned to come.
Volvo and Polestar are currently on offer locally, while Lynk & Co is expected here by 2025.
The Geely auto brand (as opposed to the overarching group) has also been shopping around for an Australian distribution partner, although it has announced no official launch plans as yet.
Other Geely group brands include Radar, which recently started retailing its RD6 ute in China, Lotus, taxi-maker LEVC and more. It also has shares in smart and Malaysian car-maker Proton, which had an unsuccessful stint in Australia.
Milky Way has released teaser images of a fastback EV sedan that reportedly measures up at 4900mm. It is understood to be based on a new electric structure separate from the SEA platform used by various Geely group EVs including the latest Zeekr X and the RD6.
According to Chinese media reports, the SUV is to be called the L7 and is based on a platform called e-CMA, which is an update of the Compact Modular Architecture already used by Polestar 2 EV, Volvo XC40 and C40, and various Lynk & Co and Geely models.
Geely is promising more new electrified models from Milky Way/Galaxy in the coming years, as well as an expansion of new energy models across its portfolio.
Geely SEA Platform
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Keyword: Geely heads for the stars