Geely plans to sell cars under Lynk & Co brand in Europe from 2020

Chinese automaker Geely, which owns Sweden’s Volvo Cars, plans to sell cars under its brand Lynk & Co in the European market from 2020, a statement provided by the company said on Monday.

Lynk & Co’s first model — 01 PHEV — will be made at Volvo's plant in Belgium in 2019 and sold in the European market in the first half of 2020. Lynk & Co said it will open its first European store in Amsterdam in 2019.

The plan envisages Lynk & Co to open stores in Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels and London in the future and gradually expand its footprint to other European cities. Geely said it will also promote online sales and pop-up stores in Europe.

“Lynk & Co will manufacture vehicles in Europe and for Europe, with a key focus on hybrid vehicles at the first stage. We will target young consumers who are connected and live in urban areas, ” said Alain Visser, senior vice president of Lynk & Co. 

Volvo Cars said in a statement that Volvo is backing the expansion of Lynk & Co in Europe. It added that joint production with Lynk & Co and Volvo cars at the plant will impact cost levels, employment and production volumes positively.

“We see a big potential for this new brand entering the European market and we are happy to give Lynk & Co the support of Volvo’s technological and industrial expertise,” said Hakan Samuelsson, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Cars.

Volvo's Belgian plant is one of two car factories operated by Volvo Cars in Europe. The plant now builds Volvo's small sport-utility vehicle XC40, compact premium hatchback V40, V40 cross country as well as the S60 sedan with a workforce of around 5,000. 

Lynk & Co brand is co-owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd, Volvo Cars and Geely Auto.