Geely E5 to be built in Spain from 2028

Geely wants to build the E5 at Ford’s Almussafes plant near Valencia from 2028. Pilot production is scheduled to begin in mid-2027. That would make the electric SUV, which is also listed as the EX5, the first Geely model from European production. The E5 is already available in some European markets, including Germany and Italy.

More utilization for Almussafes

Production is part of a joint venture in which Ford holds 66 percent and Geely 34 percent. The plant can build up to 500,000 vehicles per year, but currently uses less than a quarter of that capacity. Alongside the Ford Kuga, Geely models are also set to be produced there in future. A second Geely vehicle, another SUV, is planned for Almussafes; according to Zack Zhang, Geely’s product chief for Europe and managing director of Geely Germany, it will be presented “very soon.” According to the report, the smaller E2 is a possibility. Ford also plans two additional models in Valencia from 2028: the Bronco for Europe and a crossover with several powertrain options. The design comes from Ford, while development is being carried out jointly with Geely.

Geely plans 16 models in Europe

Geely’s current European model range consists of four vehicles: the E2 electric small car, the EX5 electric SUV, the Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV and the Monjaro EM-i. The Monjaro EM-i was shown at the Paris Motor Show last October. The range is set to grow significantly by 2028:

• Six further models are planned for 2027: a large SUV, a midsize model, two compact cars and two sedans.
• Six additional vehicles are set to follow in 2028: a D-segment SUV, a midsize model, three compact cars and a city car.

That would increase Geely’s European lineup to 16 models. At the same time, the manufacturer wants to regionalize production more strongly. By 2030, the majority of Geely vehicles sold in Europe should also be built in Europe; by then, only a few models are to be imported from China. Zhang cited EU tariffs on electric cars produced in China, a planned cap on imports of Chinese hybrid vehicles and subsidy rules that favor local production as reasons. This import cap is set at 350,000 hybrid vehicles per year, less than half of the volume expected for 2026. From the second year, it is due to rise by six percent annually. Geely also expects Chinese suppliers to follow manufacturers to Europe.