Geely Exports Over 100,000 Vehicles in 2012, Sees 164% Year on Year Growth

HANGZHOU, China, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Zhejiang Geely Holding Group set a new export sales record in December with 11,000 cars being exported during the month, which also helped the company increase its export sales over the course of 2012 by 164 percent.

According to figures released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), in the first eleven months of 2012 Chinese self-developed brands exported 470,000 passenger vehicles in total – with automotive manufacturers on average showing a 30 percent sales increase over 2011 figures. From January to December 2012 Geely's export sales reached 100,300 vehicles in total, an increase of 164 percent over 2011's figures, making Geely the second biggest car exporter in China.

Geely's December 2012 sales were pulled forward by a strong showing from the Emgrand series of vehicles. The Emgrand range of vehicles, which includes the EC7-RV hatchback, EC7 Compact Sedan and EC8 mid-size sedan, proved to be popular models in key markets with export sales breaching 40,000 units over the course of 2012 and accounting for 40 percent of total export sales. The EC7 series alone sold more than 30,000 units, an increase of over 500 percent in year on year comparison with 2011 export figures.

Over the past few years Geely has continually strived to introduce new products to the market whilst improving its quality management systems and raising its brand profile. Geely has been a leader in world markets with a strong history of cooperation with international companies. Geely signed a joint venture with the British taxi manufacturer Maganeze Bronze in 2007 which saw the two companies produce the TX range of taxis in Shanghai, which are sold in the local Chinese market and also to international markets including the Middle East, Europe and Central Asia. In 2009, Geely bought the Australian transmission manufacturer Drivetrain Systems International (DSI) and then in 2010 Geely purchased Volvo Car Corporation from Ford.

Dr. Zhang Lin, Vice President of Geely Group and Geely International General Manager, was quoted saying: "Geely's strong export sales are due to Geely's new range of highly competitive vehicles and increased investment in key areas such as quality and branding. Geely has now entered into a strategic period for export sales. Going further in 2013 we will add more models to our export line up, such as the GX7 SUV, which will help us continue with our sales success."

Geely has set up multiple complete knock down (CKD) facilities in key markets to speed up product delivery and also lower costs for consumers. Geely has established CKD facilities in partnership with local partners in Russia, Ukraine, Indonesia and a new CKD plant came online in Egypt in mid-2012. In addition, plans for new production facilities in Ethiopia and Brazil are well under way.

Geely's current major overseas markets include Ukraine, Russia, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. In 2013 Geely will aggressively expand into Egypt, Iran and Algeria to gain a foothold in each key geographic area, which will help the company expand outwards from each region. New models will be continually introduced into export markets; the new GX7 will be rolled out to key international markets over the course of 2012 and other new models will follow. Geely plans to aggressively expand in each market with increased investment, new models and strengthened training policies for its domestic and international sales staff to ensure customer satisfaction in all markets.

SOURCE Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd.