Geely’s New Lynk Brand Aims for U.S. Debut in 2018

Geely Automobile Holding Co.’s new Lynk & Co. brand plans to debut a small hybrid SUV in China late next year and bring the vehicle to the U.S. and Europe in 2018.

The Chinese carmaker unveiled images of the model, called the Lynk 01, in Germany on Wednesday. The Lynk brand will aim at the middle of the car market, below the luxury segment in which Geely’s Volvo Cars unit competes.

Geely says the Lynk brand name alludes to the product line’s mission to redefine “how cars are bought, owned, connected, serviced and used.”

The Lynk 01 was co-developed by Geely and Volvo and will ride on their new “compact modular architecture” platform. The same chassis will carry Volvo’s upcoming XC40 small crossover and next-generation versions of its 40 series small cars.

The Lynk crossover will be equipped with a 3-cylinder, 1.5-liter gasoline engine, electric motor and the choice of a manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission. A 2.0-liter gasoline engine will be optional. Geely will produce both Volvo-designed powerplants in China.

Geely says its intends to keep sales and distribution costs low in many markets by selling its vehicles through the internet and its own stores, just as Tesla Motors Inc. does now.