Geely Teases New “Lynk” Model

Confirming earlier reports, China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group says it will launch a new global brand called Lynk & Co on Oct. 20.

The carmaker released a teaser image of the grille of the first model, which is expected to be a compact crossover vehicle. Geely also launched a website for Lynk.

But Geely hasn’t provided any details about the brand or its upcoming products other than boasting that Lynk could “change the world’s idea of mobility.” This suggests that Lynk could include some type of car-sharing or ride-hailing service.

Previous media reports have said Geely will introduce Lynk simultaneously in China and Europe, and eventually expand to the U.S. Geely, which sells its own vehicles in China, also owns Volvo Cars and London Taxi Co.

The upcoming Lynk model is expected to ride on Geely/Volvo’s new Compact Modular Architecture that will underpin the Swedish carmaker’s XC40 crossover due early next year. The Lynk variant is penned by Geely design chief Peter Horbury, according to Autocar. The British enthusiast magazine, which doesn’t cite its sources, says the new crossover will be powered by a range of turbocharged 3-cylinder engines jointly developed by Geely and Volvo.

Geely already has a number of nameplates in its home market, including a namesake brand. Last year its combined sales totaled more than half a million vehicles.