Geely Auto hits '08 sales target of 225,000 units

Shanghai, January 5 (Gasgoo.com) Chinese automaker Geely Auto Holdings Group announced it had fulfilled its 2008 annual sales target of 225,000 units and would increase sales by 25% in 2009, China News Service reported.

In 2008, Geely Auto saw domestic sales increased by 11.6% and exports up by 79.8%, achieving its targets for the year. The private carmaker made it clear that it would not cut jobs, production or sales target. Geely plans to sell 281,000 units this year, against nearly 225,000 units in 2008, a company official, Zhang Xiaodong, told Shanghai Daily on Sunday.

The carmaker aims to launch four all-new models and four revamped models in 2009 such as FE-1/2, SL, TX4, GC and Free Cruiser, Kingkong, Vision and AT Panda. It will also target SUV, MPV and mid- and high-class car sectors.

This year, Geely will firmly carry out its research and development strategy of five technical platforms, 15 product platforms and key auto parts. The automaker is planning to make a breakthrough in active and passive safety technologies, and meanwhile to develop new models.