Geely started in 1986 as a manufacturer of refrigerators, then moved to the decoration of construction materials in 1989, and 1992, motorcycle parts. In 1994, Geely began manufacturing motorcycles. In 1996, Geely had produced over 200,000 motorcycles and scooters. Automobile production commenced in 1998. Geely began exporting its first cars in 2003. Geely had its IPO in 2004. Geely's chairman and founder, Li Shufu, wants to sell two thirds of the company's production abroad, but is not committed as to when that might happen. In a March 2005 forum held in Beijing, was quoted as saying:
We make cars like people from Wenzhou make [fourth of the world's] lighters. But developing a car industry is like a slow-growing tree to cover an entire forest.
Li resigned from the CEO title to Yue Guisheng in February 2006 to comply with the regulations of Hong Kong Stock Exchange. He is still president.
Geely made its first foreign incursion into a developed market by being the first Chinese automaker present at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2005. The company presented its entire line of passenger and Haoqing model hatchback Meiri, Uliou and Free Cruiser sedans and Beauty Leopard coupé. In 2006, Geely also became the first Chinese carmaker to display on the Detroit auto show USA. Geely is expected to begin mass sales in Europe in 2007 and is currently re-engineering of their vehicles to meet Euro IV emission and Euro NCAP test regulations. So far, the only European distributor interested in marketing the brand is SHA, former representative of SEAT in Portugal, which plans to distribute Geely in the Iberian Peninsula. Geely expects to begin selling cars for the North American market in 2008, the year of the Beijing Olympics, but after several test vehicles not U.S. crash and emissions tests, Geely's debut in the United States has been delayed until 2009. In Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, Geely already started selling their products (cars and motorcycles). Geely has also come in Romania, Pakistan, South Africa, and markets vehicles from Bangladesh.Click here for more information on the Geely History, Design and Meaning of Newscarspro The logos are registered trademarks. Use of the logo here does not imply endorsement of the organization by this site.
