The Hangzhou-based company plans to launch three new electric vehicle models in Ireland as it seeks to establish a foothold in the country’s growing automotive market.
As part of its expansion plans, Geely Auto Ireland is expected to open its Dublin headquarters later this month, while preparations are underway to establish a network of dealerships across the country.
Phil Eaglesfield, Chief Commercial Officer of Geely Auto Ireland, said the company was looking to offer motorists more options in an increasingly competitive automotive market.
“Our ambition is to bring Irish motorists a fresh alternative,” he said.
Geely's planned entry comes amid the growing presence of Chinese automobile manufacturers in Europe, driven largely by the global transition towards electric mobility.
Figures show that slightly more than 10,000 vehicles registered in Ireland so far this year, representing 8.3 per cent of new car registrations, were produced by Chinese-owned companies.
Founded in 1997, Geely has built a significant presence in the European automotive industry through its ownership of established brands, including Volvo, Lotus and Polestar, as well as its 50 per cent stake in Smart.
Its growing portfolio has positioned it as Europe's largest Chinese carmaker, accounting for 3.1 per cent of total vehicle registrations across the continent between January and August.
The company also recorded strong global sales last year, selling more than three million vehicles, representing a 39 per cent increase compared with the previous year.
However, the growing expansion of Chinese automotive brands, including Geely, BYD and Leapmotor, has heightened trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels, particularly over the European Union's tariffs on electric vehicles manufactured in China.
The European Union recently announced an agreement with China aimed at curbing imports of Chinese hybrid vehicles into the bloc.
The European Commission has maintained that Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers benefit from unfair government subsidies, arguing that the practice threatens to cause economic injury to European automobile producers.
Geely's expansion also comes at a challenging time for traditional European carmakers, with Volkswagen, the continent's largest automotive manufacturer, reportedly considering plans to lay off up to 100,000 workers and potentially close as many as four factories in Germany.
The developments highlight the changing dynamics of Europe's automobile industry as Chinese manufacturers increase their market share while established European companies face mounting economic and competitive pressures.