Geely: Another Chinese automotive giant to enter Australia with first EV

Last month, we reported the sighting of a Geely E5 electric SUV spotted in Melbourne while undergoing testing.

Now, the brand under Geely Auto Group (Geely Auto), has announced that it will be entering the Australian market in the first half of 2025. This would be with the EX5 model (previously rumoured to be the E5) which debuted at the recent Automechanika Frankfurt show.

According to the brand, the EX5 will enter the Australian market thanks to its local arm, Geely Auto Australia, which will bring a “diverse range of high-quality, accessible vehicles” for Australian drivers.

The company further elaborated that vehicles like the Geely EX5 will deliver “cutting-edge technology and innovative features” that are tailored to Australian drivers’ “needs and expectations.”

Some of these technologies seen in the EX5 will include:

• GEA Global Intelligent Electric Architecture
  • Provides optimal interior space
  • High structural integrity
• Short Blade Battery Technology
  • Providing safety and durability
• Efficient 11-in-1 intelligent electric drive unit that powers the vehicle

“Today is not only the global debut of the EX5 but also a testament to Geely’s commitment to expanding into markets worldwide, including Australia, Norway, Thailand, and Indonesia,” Victor Yang, senior vice president of Geely Holding Group said in a a statement.

Geely Auto is owned by Geely Holdings, which has stakes in multiple brands such as Volvo cars, Polestar, Zeekr, and Lotus and has been rapidly rolling out EVs under its own brand into many markets around the world.

With Geely’s global expansion plans well underway, the EX5 is the first car the company has designed with 89 countries’ regulatory requirements in mind.

This also includes Australia and recent testing on local roads gave a glimpse of what’s to come after shots of a silver mid-sized SUV came to the surface.

As this car was unveiled in China last month, plans of building it in right-hand-drive for markets like ours in Australia were shared. These have now been confirmed.

Specs of the car EX5 in China were also shared including the offering of it in multiple variants. 

The powertrain on offer features a relatively powerful 160 kW motor with 320 Nm of torque. This allows us 0-100 km/h in under 7 seconds, outpacing the BYD Atto 3 currently on offer in the Australian market.

Two battery packs will also be available with the first 49.52 kWh pack expected to deliver of 440 km of CLTC range.

A bigger pack with 60.22 kWh capacity can deliver up to 530 km of NEDC range. The latter bigger pack can be expected to offer 450 km of real-world WLTP range.

These new battery packs are lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) in chemistry and contain Geely’s short Blade batteries with an energy density of 192 Wh/km.

This once again is above BYD’s current Blade battery found in the Dolphin, Atto 3 and the Seal.

The announcement of Geely Auto’s entry into Australia in the first half of 2025 will bring a new major automotive player into the market. 

Starting with an all-electric mid-sized SUV like the EX5 will help in getting some runs on the board in the local market and deliver more options for buyers looking at getting behind the wheel of a cleaner, more efficient car.