Zhejiang's giant automaker Geely aims to bring a mainstream Chinese car brand to North America

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

https://jalopnik.com/heres-the-2019-lynk-co-03-sedan-from-volvos-weird-pun-1828173386

Here's The 2019 Lynk & Co 03 Sedan From Volvo's Weird Punk Cousin

Lynk & Co, the Geely brand that shares platforms and powertrains from Volvo for its Chinese market vehicles with dreams of eventually setting up shop in Europe and America, has revealed the production version of its funky sedan called the Lynk & Co 03. It looks like an alien impersonating a Chrysler 300.

The Lynk & Co 03 is, you guessed it, the third model in the new automaker’s lineup, following the mid-size and compact crossovers that are the 01 and 02, respectively.

The 03 sedan is based on the same platform as the Volvo XC40 and upcoming S40 and V40 models, also borrowing Volvo’s 1.5-liter three-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain and a variation of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder found in the XC60 T8. Lynk & Co claims the plug-in hybrid has the potential for an electric-only range of up to 40 miles.

The car will initially go on sale in the Chinese market as the company works to figure out the leap to Europe and the U.S., with plans for a unique distribution model involving limited car customization, online-only sales, and possibly shared ownership and subscription service models.

While the interior of the 03 has still yet to be revealed, the concept car from a few months back boasted a digital display screen and adequately modern layout. The company is also big on pushing in-car internet connectivity in its other models with free data and offering “lifetime” warranties for its cars.

As has been clear in the past, the company still has a lot of the specifics to its bold plans to work out, and there’s no clear timeframe for when it will expand beyond China.

Still, Lynk & Co’s design language is a far cry from the smooth, understated look that Volvo’s latest vehicles are going for, instead offering bold, boxy bodies with interestingly-shaped features, like trapezoidal taillights with a lot of vertical elements and hood-level LEDs.

The new 03 isn’t classically beautiful, but it also doesn’t strike me as distasteful. It’s interesting, in a good way, and it’s doing weird in an approach that other automakers, like Saturn or Scion, have failed to accomplish in the past. It doesn’t hurt that it’s basically a Volvo underneath the skin, either.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

Were they trying to go for the Audi look?

Looks a decent vehicle. Always wondered why Chinese vehicles aren't more prevalent in the US market.

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

Were they trying to go for the Audi look?

Looks a decent vehicle. Always wondered why Chinese vehicles aren't more prevalent in the US market.

They need to set up supply chains and dealers first.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

They need to set up supply chains and dealers first.

I understand that, but one has to start somewhere.

It's just weird that they haven't already.

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

I understand that, but one has to start somewhere.

It's just weird that they haven't already.

Volvo built a new factory in South Carolina last year. They can use that to build Geely, Lynk & Co, Volvo, Polestar, Lotus brand cars. Avoid tariffs.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Were they trying to go for the Audi look?

Looks a decent vehicle. Always wondered why Chinese vehicles aren't more prevalent in the US market.

One reason is they weren’t passing crash tests.

None sold in Europe either.
August 2018
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/104319/europe-could-get-chinese-cars
Europe could get Chinese cars

But rather than being imported from the firm’s new £1.4billion factory in Zhangjakou, China, models bound for Europe will be produced at Volvo’s plant in Ghent, Belgium. A Geely spokesman told Auto Express: “Zhejiang Geely Holding Group subsidiary factories are all built to Volvo Cars’ leading standards (or in case of Luqiao factory, directly managed by Volvo) and thus are capable of producing cars to global standards.”

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

One reason is they weren’t passing crash tests. None sold in Europe either.

They do now and has been for years. The main reason is they have to build up their shares in domestic market first before they expand abroad.

 

[Menthol]

I think China should focus on developing country market first.

After their car quality and design improved, its the start to aim USA.