China’s Geely to enter the UK car market in 2012

China's Geely is to enter the UK car market in 2012

We reported recently that the Geely Emgrand EC7 and the MG6 – both made in China – has achieved a four star rating in the latest round of Euro NCAP safety test. And now Geely has revealed it’s to enter the UK car market in 2012.

Geely are, in one sense, already active in the UK car market as owners of Manganese Bronze Holdings (MBH), makers of the iconic London Black Cab. But now they’re going mainstream with a full entry in to the UK market.

All the sales and distribution for Geely in the UK will be handled by MBH who are going to establish a dealer network and provide after-sales.

The starting point for sales in the UK – the firts major Western country to see Geely cars on sale – will be the aforementioned Emgrand EC7. Geely are saying the EC7 will start at around £10k and will come with a choice of  1.5 and 1.8 litre petrol engines.

Geely and MBH are aiming for a network of between 30 and 40 dealerships to be in place by the time the first Geely cars arrive in late 2012, and they’ve already made a start by looking for small independent businesses which they see as ideally suited to take on the Geely franchise. They’ve also got their eyes on former Rover dealers as likely candidates.

Matthew Cheyne, Market Development Director of Geely Auto UK, said:

Geely cars are already suitable for Europe and meet EU homologation and whole vehicle type approval and of course Euro 5 emissions.  They are all well equipped products but at affordable prices and will carry a five-year, 100,000 mile warranty

Geely are trying to emulate what the Korean car makers have achieved in recent years, and the Emgrand EC7 will be just the first of a range of Geely cars to go on sale in the UK. But there’s not much chance of their more contentious models – like the Geely Emgrand EC6-RV, which is an ‘Homage to the MINI – making it in to the UK.

But Geely will be a force to be reckoned with – sooner rather than later.