Geely to enter to US market with help from Volvo

Geely Automobile Holdings told reporters in Hong Kong on Aug. 23 that it plans to start exporting cars to the United States with help from Volvo. Geely is hoping the Swedish company’s reputation will help it succeed in new markets after the firm stumbled on its first trip to the States at the Detroit auto show in 2006.

“Our acquisition of Volvo enhanced our image, and overseas consumers are seeing us as an international company,” said Gui Shengyue, chief executive officer of Geely. “Our deliveries in the U.S. and Europe will be banking on those jointly developed models.”

The Volvo and Geely brands were previously kept separate, due to concerns that association with a Chinese brand would dilute Volvo’s image, according to Bloomberg.

Geely is set to become China’s biggest vehicle exporter this year, planning to ship more than 180,000 units to other countries. Last year the company exported 100,800 vehicles, while in-country competitor Chery Automobile Co. exported 184,800.

By Jake Lingeman