Geely to launch 21 models this year to boost sales

Shanghai, February 23 (Gasgoo.com) Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, the preferred buyer of Ford's Volvo unit, plans to launch 21 models in 2010 to boost this year's sales for the target of 412,000 vehicles, SinoCast reported today.

The 21 new vehicle models will include six brand-new models, over 10 upgraded models, new-energy models, and products with different powertrains. They will be sold under the three new sub-brands, Global Eagle, Emgrand, and Shanghai Englon, with Geely as the parent brand.

Geely said it will develop two types of CE-1 and CE-2 models both for Chinese and European markets. The type for the western market will be designed by auto engineering firm Italdesign. And CE-1 and CE-2 models for export will include the right-drive versions coded CE-1R and CE-2R.

In its production base in Chengdu, capital of the southwestern province of Sichuan, Geely will begin to make its first city SUV model NL-1, also known as the GX7 at the 2009 Shanghai auto show in April. Its first C-class sedan GC-1, or EC8, will start production in the eastern city of Jinan.

Geely is also set to develop alternative-energy vehicles this year, including electric vehicles based on the Panda platform, plug-in hybrid cars and GSG hybrid cars, said the Global Times.

Geely sold 325,413 vehicles last year, up 59%. Last month its sales climbed 137% from a year earlier to a record 43,877 units.