Geely Builds First Europe‑Specific Model and Defender‑Like Off‑Roader

Geely’s Project KO11 is positioned as the company’s halo model, designed to complement its existing lineup and address what European buyers want. The Chinese automaker, part of the conglomerate that owns Volvo, Polestar and Lotus, entered the European market last year with the EX5 electric SUV and the Starray plug‑in hybrid. Project KO11, a localised version of the Land Rover Defender‑rivaling Galaxy Cruiser 4×4 that debuted in China, shares its underpinnings with the forthcoming Lotus Eletre PHEV but is engineered for hardcore off‑roading, featuring an 800‑mm wading depth and chunky styling.

Dennis Weinel, Geely’s product definition director, told Autocar that the models were chosen based on the brand’s priorities for its European launch and then tweaked to suit local tastes. He described the existing vehicles as part of the “legacy portfolio” and said further substantial alterations are underway to better meet European expectations. One focus is the Flyme infotainment system: the current generation has a look and feel common to China, which Geely does not want in Europe. The second‑generation Flyme, slated for rollout next year, will offer multitasking, split screens, more relevant information and extensible widgets.

Weinel also highlighted work to tame the “bings and bongs” from driver‑assist systems that have attracted criticism from press and owners. He said the issues boil down to three key areas: volume, chime signature and trigger logic, and that all three are being addressed to align with customer preferences while staying within regulatory limits.

The company’s first model built specifically for Europe will be designed at its Milan base and revealed next year. Weinel said it is a true European product that will later be exported to other markets. This strategy mirrors that of rival BYD, which launched in Europe with Chinese‑market models before introducing the Dolphin G, a PHEV supermini tailored to European demands and slated for production in Hungary.

Geely plans to launch ten cars in the UK by 2030. Its lineup will expand from three vehicles—the EX5, Starray and EX2 electric supermini—to five with the addition of the Monjaro PHEV SUV and Project KO11.