Geely's Lynk & Co launches new SUV in China

Lynk & Co, Geely Auto Group's new car brand, launches 01 in China on Nov 29, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

China's high-end car market will be more competitive as one burgeoning and brand new auto touches down.

Lynk & Co, Geely Auto Group's new car brand, launched 01 in China on Wednesday. Customers can order 01 at stores like Lynk & Co center and Lynk & Co space in many cities across the country and also book online from 9 am on Wednesday.

The medium-sized, tech-laden SUV was designed and developed by Geely's China Euro Vehicle Technology R&D center in Gothenburg, Sweden, and built in China.

An Conghui, president and CEO of Geely Auto Group, says that Lynk & Co will compete directly against mainstream foreign brands. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An Conghui, president and CEO of Geely Auto Group, stressed the strong coordination, research and development ties between Geely and Volvo, which Geely acquired in 2010. The new car brand's models use Volvo's compact modular architecture.

"Lynk & Co brought together leading design, research, engineering and manufacturing talents from around the world to create a premium next-generation brand," he said.

Yi Han, executive general manager of Lynk & Co Auto (China) Sales, reveals the price. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The price of 01 ranges from 158,800 to 202,800 yuan ($24,024-30,680), and a limited edition costs 220,800 yuan, Yi Han, executive general manager of Lynk & Co Auto (China) Sales, announced at the launch ceremony in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

Yi also confirmed three free services, including lifetime warranty, free data traffic and lifetime roadside assistance, for Lynk & Co's customers.

"Lynk & Co vehicles benchmark against other luxury vehicles ensuring a high level of quality, manufacturing technology, and service that allows it to compete directly against mainstream foreign brands," An said.

According to An, Lynk & Co is less luxurious than Volvo, but higher rated than Geely. Analysts note that it will go head-to-head with Volkswagen, Ford, Toyota and Hyundai.