Geely Auto was among the few Chinese carmakers to post year-on-year sales growth in January, supported by record exports and solid demand for plug-in hybrid models, even as battery electric vehicle sales declined.
Geely sold 270,167 vehicles in January, up 1.29% from a year earlier and 14.08% higher than in December, the company said on Sunday.
Growth was driven largely by overseas markets, with exports reaching a record 60,506 vehicles, more than doubling from a year earlier and rising 50.10% from December. Domestic sales in China totaled 209,661 units, down 12.62% year on year but up 6.69% month on month.
Sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) fell to 68,012 units in January, down 14.98% from a year earlier and 14.05% lower than December. In contrast, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales rose sharply on an annual basis to 56,240 units, up 36.91% year on year, although they declined 25.15% from the previous month.
Geely Galaxy was the automaker’s best-selling sub-brand in January, with sales of 82,990 units. That figure was down 11.28% year on year and 17.58% month on month. Launched initially as a product lineup in February 2023, Galaxy was upgraded to a standalone brand in March last year, with the Geometry lineup consolidated under Galaxy from October 2024 and LEVC integrated as its premium MPV series.
Including Galaxy, the core Geely brand sold 217,438 vehicles in January, down 3.24% from a year earlier but up 25.83% from December.
Premium brand Zeekr delivered 23,852 vehicles, nearly doubling year on year but falling 29.33% from December. Lynk & Co sold 28,877 vehicles, down 3.99% year on year and 4.59% from the previous month.
China’s auto market typically sees softer demand in January due to seasonal factors, but Geely’s results contrasted with broader industry weakness, underscoring the growing role of exports and hybrid models in supporting sales.
