From "Made in China" to "Intelligently Made in China", Chinese automobile brands are gaining increasing say in the global market. The three brands – Geely, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr – have risen rapidly in overseas markets with their differentiated product strategies, precise market positioning, and strong technical support, breaking the monopoly of traditional automobile powerhouses. This article will go beyond simply listing vehicle models and their layouts, and analyze how these three brands accurately address the pain points of overseas markets from three core dimensions: product strength, technical strength, and localized services, becoming "Chinese business cards" favored by global consumers.

Product Strength: Precisely Matching Overseas Market Demands, with Vehicle Matrix Covering All Scenarios

The core competitiveness of Chinese automobile brands in going global first stems from their in-depth insight into the needs of different regional markets overseas. Geely, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr have created "tailor-made" vehicle products based on the consumption habits, road conditions, and policy requirements of different markets, forming a product matrix covering household, high-end, new energy, and other full scenarios, so that each model can accurately hit the pain points of local consumers.

Geely: Seizing Emerging Markets with "High Cost-Effectiveness + Scenario-Based Products"

In emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, consumers' core demand is "to spend less money and buy a more practical car". Geely has accurately grasped this pain point and built a high-cost-performance product echelon through models such as Emgrand and Vision. Take the Emgrand as an example; it continues its domestic positioning as a "national family sedan" in overseas markets, with a wheelbase of 2650mm, providing sufficient rear space for family travel. It is also equipped with practical configurations such as a reversing camera and a central control large screen, while the price is only 70%-80% of that of similar joint-venture models. In the African market, the Vision (Emgrand X7/Gs) has optimized its chassis and suspension system to cope with the local complex road conditions, improving its passability and becoming "the first car" for many families.

For markets with strong demand for SUVs such as Russia and the Middle East, Geely has launched models like Boyue (Atlas/Atlas Pro) and Binyue (Coolray). In Russia, where winters are extremely cold, the Boyue (Atlas) has specially upgraded its low-temperature starting system, enabling it to start quickly even in -30℃ environments. In the Middle East, where there is high temperature and intense sunlight, the vehicle interior uses UV-resistant materials, and the air conditioning cooling efficiency has been increased by 20%. These detailed optimizations have allowed the products to quickly gain a firm foothold in the local market. Data in 2024 shows that the market share of Boyue (Atlas) in Russia's SUV market has exceeded 5%, making it the first Chinese model to enter the top 10 SUV sales in the region.

Lynk & Co: Opening the Door to the European Market with "High-End Design + Safety Performance"

The European market is the "commanding height" of the global automobile industry, where consumers have extremely high requirements for design, safety, and environmental protection. As a high-end brand under Geely, Lynk & Co has successfully broken European consumers' stereotypes of Chinese cars with "Volvo's technical endorsement + Nordic design style". The Lynk & Co 01 has passed the EU NCAP five-star crash test in the European market. Its body uses 73% high-strength steel and is equipped with the City Safety system, which can automatically identify pedestrians and bicycles. This safety performance even surpasses that of some German luxury brands.

At the same time, Lynk & Co deeply understands European consumers' pursuit of "personalization". The Lynk & Co 03 offers a variety of body colors and wheel hub styles to choose from, and the interior uses recyclable and environmentally friendly materials, in line with Europe's "carbon neutrality" concept. More importantly, Lynk & Co has launched a "subscription-based" car purchase model in Europe, where consumers can drive away a Lynk & Co 01 by paying 399 euros per month, including insurance, maintenance, and repair services. This flexible consumption method fits the lifestyle of young Europeans. In 2024, the number of subscription users of Lynk & Co in Europe exceeded 12,000, and the brand awareness increased by 40% compared with 2022.

Zeekr: Exploring High-Value-Added Markets with "New Energy Technology + High-End Positioning"

In markets with a high penetration rate of new energy vehicles such as Europe and Israel, consumers are no longer satisfied with "simple electrification" but pursue "high-end intelligent pure electric experience". As Geely's high-end pure electric brand, Zeekr directly targets luxury brands such as Tesla and BMW with its two models, Zeekr 001 and Zeekr 009. The Zeekr 001 is equipped with a 100kWh Kirin battery, with a CLTC cruising range of 702km and supports 800V high-voltage fast charging, which can increase the range by 400km with 10 minutes of charging. This cruising range and energy supplement capability have solved European consumers' "range anxiety".

In the Israeli market, the Zeekr 009 has seized the gap in demand for high-end business travel. As a pure electric MPV, the second row of the Zeekr 009 is equipped with airline-grade seats, supporting massage, ventilation, and heating functions. It is also equipped with a Qualcomm 8155 chip, and the in-vehicle system can smoothly run Hebrew voice control. In the third quarter of 2024, the sales proportion of Zeekr 009 in Israel's high-end MPV market reached 18%, becoming a new choice for local business people.

Technical Strength: From "Technology Following" to "Technology Leading", Building a Core Moat

Chinese automobile brands' going global is no longer in the stage of "winning by low prices" but relies on technological innovation to build core competitiveness. Geely, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr have formed technical barriers in the fields of new energy, intelligence, and power systems through independent research and development and global cooperation, making "Chinese technology" a core selling point in overseas markets.

New Energy Technology: Breaking "Range Anxiety" and Adapting to Global Charging Standards

Zeekr's success is inseparable from Geely's deep cultivation in the field of new energy technology. The Kirin battery it is equipped with is a new generation of power batteries jointly developed by Geely and CATL, with an energy density of 255Wh/kg, which is 30% higher than that of traditional ternary lithium batteries. At the same time, Zeekr models support mainstream global charging standards, adapting to the CCS2 charging interface in Europe and compatible with the CHAdeMO interface in Israel, so consumers do not need to worry about charging compatibility issues. In addition, Geely has cooperated with charging operators such as Shell and IONITY in overseas markets to provide users with convenient charging services, and has currently laid out more than 500 cooperative charging stations in Europe.

Intelligent Technology: Catering to Global User Habits and Creating a "Borderless" Intelligent Experience

In terms of intelligence, the intelligent cockpits and driving assistance systems equipped in Lynk & Co and Zeekr models fully consider the user habits of different global markets. For example, the in-vehicle system of Lynk & Co 01 supports 12 languages including English, German, and French, and the navigation map cooperates with the European local service provider TomTom to accurately cover road information in European countries. The intelligent driving assistance system of Zeekr 001 has optimized the lane-keeping and following distance control algorithms for narrow streets and complex roundabout road conditions in Europe. In open road tests in countries such as Germany and France, the system takeover rate is 30% lower than the industry average.

Power Technology: Balancing Performance and Environmental Protection to Meet Global Emission Regulations

Facing increasingly stringent global emission regulations, Geely's independently developed 1.5TD and 2.0TD engines, as well as the Leishen hybrid system, have become the "power trump cards" of its models. The 1.5TD engine equipped in the Boyue (Atlas Pro) has a maximum power of 135kW, a peak torque of 275N・m, a fuel consumption of only 6.2L per 100km, and meets the EU Euro 6d emission standard. The Leishen hybrid system equipped in the Lynk & Co 03 has a comprehensive cruising range of more than 1000km and can enjoy tax incentives for new energy vehicles in the European market. This advantage has allowed Lynk & Co to quickly break through in the fuel vehicle replacement market in Europe.

Localized Services: From "Selling Cars" to "Managing Users", Building Long-Term Trust

Competition in overseas markets ultimately lies in the competition of "products + services". Geely, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr深知 that only by providing good localized services can they truly retain consumers. Therefore, they have built a "comprehensive" localized service system from three aspects: channels, after-sales, and user operation.

Channel Construction: Penetrating into Local Markets to Create "Visible and Tangible" Experiences

In terms of channel layout, Geely adopts a "direct sales + dealer" dual model overseas. In Russia, Geely has cooperated with Avilon, the largest local automobile dealer group, to establish more than 30 4S stores in major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg. In Africa, Geely has adopted a "secondary dealer" model to penetrate into second- and third-tier cities, allowing consumers to view and purchase cars at their doorsteps. Lynk & Co has chosen the "urban experience store" model in Europe, opening experience stores in core business districts of cities such as Amsterdam and Berlin, where consumers can experience the models like visiting an Apple store. This young channel model is deeply loved by young Europeans.

After-Sales Service: Solving the Pain Points of "Difficult Maintenance and Slow Access to Spare Parts" to Improve User Satisfaction

To solve the pain points of overseas after-sales services, Geely has established 12 parts warehouses worldwide, covering regions such as Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, shortening the parts delivery cycle to 3-7 days. In Russia, Geely has also launched a "24-hour road rescue" service. No matter which city the user encounters a breakdown in, the rescue vehicle will arrive at the scene within 2 hours. Lynk & Co provides a "5-year / 150,000-kilometer" warranty service in Europe, far exceeding the industry average of 3 years / 100,000 kilometers. This commitment has significantly increased European consumers' trust in the brand.

User Operation: Integrating into Local Culture to Build a "Warm" Brand Community

In terms of user operation, the three brands have actively integrated into local culture and carried out localized activities. Geely has held "Emgrand Owner Carnivals" in Africa, inviting owners to participate in football matches, family days, and other activities. Lynk & Co has organized "Lynk & Co Track Days" in Europe, allowing owners to experience the sports performance of the Lynk & Co 03. Zeekr has established "Zeekr Club" in Israel, regularly holding new energy technology salons and inviting owners to discuss the future of pure electric travel. These activities have not only enhanced user stickiness but also made the brand a "participant" in local culture rather than a simple "outsider".

Conclusion: The "Global Era" of Chinese Automobile Brands Has Arrived

From Geely's "full bloom" in emerging markets, to Lynk & Co's "high-end breakthrough" in the European market, and then to Zeekr's "technological leadership" in the new energy field, Chinese automobile brands are rewriting the global automobile industry pattern with a new attitude. Behind this is the accurate insight into market demand, the continuous investment in technological innovation, and the long-term adherence to localized services. In the future, as more Chinese automobile brands accelerate their overseas expansion, "Chinese cars" will no longer be synonymous with "cost-effectiveness" but a symbol of "high quality, high technology, and high service", truly becoming a core force in the global automobile market.