Geely Auto reported a modest increase in vehicle sales in May as record overseas deliveries helped offset continued weakness in China’s domestic automotive market.
The Chinese automaker sold 237,637 vehicles in May, up 1.0% from a year earlier and 1.1% higher than in April, according to data released by the company on Monday.
Total sales for the first five months of the year reached 1.18 million vehicles, representing a 0.8% increase compared with the same period last year.
Overseas Sales Reach Record High
Exports remained the company’s strongest source of growth during the month.
Geely Auto sold a record 85,144 vehicles in overseas markets in May, an increase of 183.7% from a year earlier.
The strong international performance contrasted sharply with conditions in China, where domestic sales fell 25.7% year-on-year to 152,493 vehicles.
The figures highlight the growing importance of international markets for Chinese automakers as intense competition and price reductions continue to pressure sales and profitability at home.
Mixed Performance Across EV Segments
Sales trends varied across Geely’s electrified vehicle portfolio.
Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales declined 19.4% year-on-year to 76,633 units in May, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales increased 32.0% to 56,722 units.
The divergence reflects broader trends in China’s new energy vehicle market, where demand for plug-in hybrid models has remained resilient amid changing consumer preferences.
Zeekr Sets New Delivery Record
Premium electric vehicle brand Zeekr delivered a record 34,377 vehicles in May, an increase of 81.8% compared with the same month last year.
The strong performance was supported by demand for the brand’s higher-end product lineup, including the Zeekr 9 and Zeekr 8 series, which accounted for nearly half of monthly deliveries.
According to the company, stronger sales of premium models helped increase Zeekr’s average transaction price by 52.4% year-on-year.
Other Brands Face Pressure
Not all Geely brands recorded growth during the month.
Geely Galaxy delivered 81,727 vehicles in May, down 19.8% from a year earlier and marking its fifth consecutive month of annual sales declines.
Lynk & Co reported sales of 20,732 vehicles, a decrease of 25.0% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, the core Geely brand sold 182,528 vehicles, down 3.3% compared with May 2025.
New Models and Global Expansion
To support demand in the mass-market segment, Geely recently launched an updated version of the Xingyuan compact electric vehicle.
The model carries a limited-time starting price of 61,800 yuan ($9,140), around 6% lower than the discounted entry price of its predecessor.
The updated vehicle features battery cells supplied by CATL across all variants and includes an upgraded smart cockpit system aimed at younger consumers.
As competition intensifies in China’s automotive market, Geely is increasingly relying on overseas expansion to support earnings.
The company reported in April that its core net profit, excluding foreign exchange effects, rose 31% in the first quarter, aided by the contribution from international operations.
With domestic price competition continuing to pressure margins, Geely’s export business is expected to remain a key driver of growth and profitability in the coming quarters.