Mar 02, 2026 (MarketLine via COMTEX) --
Could Geely Holding become the world's number five OEM by 2030? That's the new goal for this rapidly rising star.
According to a new internal project named One Geely, a target of selling 6,500,000 vehicles per annum by 2030 has been set. This huge ambition would, if realised, see the companyaEUR(TM)s annual deliveries soar by 40 per cent compared to 2025. It isnaEUR(TM)t mere volume either, revenue of one trillion RMB being sought too.
As this medium-sized OEM, at least compared to TMC or Volkswagen, pursues its new ambitions, there will be a sharp focus on eliminating duplicated costs across multiple brands and divisions. Already Volvo, Geely, Zeekr, Proton and other subsidiaries are sharing powertrains and platforms, with a lot of more of that to come. This report is a snapshot of what could be ahead for certain of the groupaEUR(TM)s brands.
Geely
After ending 2025 as the number two brand in China, while also closing in on BYD, Geely is now off to a strong start in 2026. In fact, at a wholesale (i.e. ex-factory deliveries) level, it was number one in January with 165,249 deliveries, ahead of VW, Toyota and BYD in that order. Data for retail sales are awaited but Build Your Dreams was in decline during the second half of 2025 so losing its lead to Geely was not unexpected.
The Chinese marketaEUR(TM)s best seller of last year was the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV with 461,578 retail sales, followed in second place by the Geely Xingyuan with 455,439. The 4.1 m long electric crossover is now 18 months old and its maker will likely refresh it in 2027 before launching a successor towards the end of 2030. There will probably also be some changes to the various battery options at the time of the mid-life facelift. As for whether the Xingyuan could become the best selling vehicle in China this year, that will be tough: SGMW is about to launch a new Mini EV five-door, which will be quite a statement given that the existing model only dates to 2024.
One interesting thing about the dramatic rise of Geely in 2025 compared to the prior year is the brand having only the one model inside the top ten. Its next best performer was the larger Xingyue L, known in some export markets as the Monjaro while several Renault SUVs (Grand Koleos, Filante) are closely linked to this SUV. Its successor is due to arrive in 2028, though the Korean-built Renaults should continue as-is until the following year.
SS21: the new Emgrand
GeelyaEUR(TM)s Panda Mini is another big seller (156,690 in 2025) and this tiny EV is due to be replaced in 2028 having had its mid-cycle refresh last year. Meanwhile the larger Boyue L (148,613 Chinese market sales in 2025) should also have a successor in two yearsaEUR(TM) time. This, the fifth generation, is expected to remain more or less the same length (4.5 m) and to again utilise BMA, a Geely-Volvo architecture.
One far more recently launched model is the SS21 series Emgrand. This 4.8 m long sedan replaced the smaller FE-3 shape model in November 2025. With pricing starting at the equivalent of US$9,000 itaEUR(TM)s not hard to understand why generation five is already selling strongly. The standard engine is a 133 kW and 290 Nm 1.5-litre turbo. We can expect a facelift in 2029 and the sixth evolution in 2032.
Volvo
A major and some would argue unnecessarily risky gamble on EVs is yet to pay off for Volvo Cars. In fact, there has been a rapid rethink with extended life cycles for some good performers such as the ICE-powered XC60 and XC90, though the S90 and V90 have by contrast been axed.
HAkan Samuelsson, who returned as CEO for two years on 1 April 2025, appears to be making sure that VCC will be able to offer a choice of propulsion systems rather than pushing too many electric models onto the market, as some say his predecessor Jim Rowan did.
The ES90 and EX90 are yet to deliver the expected volumes which had originally been assumed for each of these large and electric-only models. The same applies to the smaller EX30 which has just been given a cheaper, single-motor variant in an effort to improve its sales performance.
The first range extender Volvo
Volvo has also added the XC70, its first so-called aEUR~long range plus-in hybridaEUR(TM) which uses SMA (aEUR~Scalable Modular ArchitectureaEUR(TM)). The 4.8 m long front- or all-wheel drive SUV offers 21 kWh and 40 kWh battery pack options, with a 1.5-litre engine acting as a range extender. Launched first in China, the XC70 is manufactured there too (Taizhou). The production life should be seven to eight years. That means a facelift in 2029 and what will probably be an electric successor in 2032/2033.
The latest additional model or in fact models is/are the EX60 and EX60 Cross Country. Revealed on 21 January, this electric SUV and its more rugged variant have a claimed maximum WLTP range of as many as 503 miles/810 km. Production is due to commence at VCCaEUR(TM)s Torslanda base in Gothenburg very soon. This is the first vehicle for GPA, also known as SPA3. Volvo has admitted that the new platform is EV-only. The model will more than likely be in production for seven to eight years.
Next XC90: US-built
As well as the arrival of the XC70 in Europe, next year will be when a second generation EC40 is due to appear. Then in 2028 we should see a new XC90 which could well be the present model rebodied and fitted with a range extender powertrain. Volvo will manufacture this big SUV at its Ridgeville plant in the USA from late 2028. A few months later the XC60 should finally be discontinued after what will have been a very long production life.
Starting in the early 2030s, we can expect a second generation EX30 with a successor for the EX90 to come by 2033.
Lotus
After abandoning its policy of launching only EVs in November 2024, Lotus Cars is now busy with the engineering of multiple vehicles which will be powered by range extender powertrains. The Electre should be the first such vehicle with a launch in China coming relatively soon and then exports to Europe in the second half of 2026.
One model which should continue more or less unaffected is the Emira. This sports car continues with its V6 engine, having had some changes last September for the 2026 model year. Production should continue until 2028 or 2029.
smart
It was a better year for smart in 2025 although sales in China and Europe, its two main markets, continue to be disappointing. New products, and a broadening of the powertrain strategy away from EVs-only could improve things this year.
Coming next will be the #6 EHD (aEUR~Electric Hybrid DriveaEUR(TM)). Initial details were revealed in December and sales of this 4.9 m long hatchback which some are incorrectly calling a sedan, are due to commence soon. Geely and its JV partner Mercedes are yet to state whether or not there will be exports to Europe.
At the other extreme of the size scale, a new #2 (fortwo successor) is also coming in 2026, in this case during the fourth quarter. The tiny EV will be manufactured in China. It will likely be revealed at the Beijing motor show in April. As for updates elsewhere in the smart line-up, facelifts for the #1 and #3 are due within the next 12 months, with the #5 expected to have its own restyle in 2028.
Polestar
Michael Lohscheller, the CEO of Polestar, stated earlier this month that the brand will continue with its policy of only selling electric vehicles. And while sales in general were up in 2025, profits remain elusive. Still, Polestar is pressing on with a continued roll-out of additional vehicles.
Coming soon is the 5, an intended rival for the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT. Revealed at the Munich motor show last September, the Launch Edition will be on sale from June, powered by two motors with a combined 550 kW and 812 Nm. There will also be 650 kW and 1,015 Nm Performance Launch edition. Both will have a 112 kW battery and as production will be in China, the US is not one of the caraEUR(TM)s markets.
A new 2 in early 2027
Also coming this year is a new variant of the 4. Polestar calls this big crossover a coupA(C) and it is believed that the extra derivative will be a shooting brake. Both cars would be due for replacements in 2030 or 2031.
In just over a yearaEUR(TM)s time we will be due to see a successor for the 2. This should again be a five-door hatchback in the style of the current car and its life cycle is likely to be seven years.
Coming in 2028 is the 7, an SUV around the size of the BMW iX1 and a would-be competitor for that EV. Volvo Cars will manufacture the 7 at its new KoAiice factory in eastern Slovakia. This plant, which is for electric models, is to have an initial annual capacity of 250,000 vehicles for Polestar and Volvo models.
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COMTEX_478414116/2227/2026-05-02T19:26:30
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