Geely Auto and Volvo Cars agree to build on their partnership with more shared underpinnings and a new Lynk & Co arrangement.
Volvo is undergoing something of a renaissance. Ever since the company was sold by Ford, they’ve had the freedom and funding to build cars exactly how they want to. It turns out this is working out great for them. At a time where many European and Japanese premium makes are struggling to build sales momentum, Volvo Cars are reporting month after month of record-breaking sales numbers. Even a year as tough for car sales as 2020 resulted in their best half-year of sales in history.
A Change In Volvo-Geely Relations
A year ago, we first heard the news that Volvo would be actually strengthening ties with Geely. Among other things, the companies would be merging business units, but the details and regulatory approvals were still not finalised.
Today, they’ve agreed on the following:
- combining powertrain operations in a new company
- expanding use of shared modular architectures (SEA and SPA2) for EVs
- further collaboration in autonomous and electric drive technologies
- joint parts procurement to cut purchasing costs
- distributing Lynk & Co under Volvo dealer network
- retaining independent corporate structures
The last point shows that they are indeed NOT merging their business units. This is something Volvo fans will be happy to learn.
Lynk & Co Goes Global With Volvo
While most of these points represent an evolution of the current arrangements between Volvo and Geely, the bit about Lynk & Co is particularly interesting. It could mean that the Lynk & Co brand could be brought to markets like ours and sold/distributed via subscription by Volvo dealers.
Definitely an idea we like.
Here’s the press release with more information.
PRESS RELEASE
Volvo Cars and Geely Auto have agreed on a wide-ranging collaboration that will maximise the strengths of the Swedish and Chinese automotive groups, delivering synergies in powertrains, sharing of electric vehicle architecture, joint procurement, autonomous drive technologies and aftersales.
- Powertrain operations to be combined in new company focused on next-generation hybrid systems and internal combustion engines
- Expanded use of shared modular architectures for electric vehicles (EVs)
- Enhanced collaboration in autonomous and electric drive technologies
- Joint procurement to cut purchasing costs
- Lynk & Co to expand globally by utilising Volvo distribution and service network
- Companies to retain independent corporate structures
Following a detailed review of combination options, Volvo Cars and Geely Auto have concluded they can secure new growth opportunities in their respective markets and meet evolving industry challenges through deeper cooperation, while preserving their existing separate corporate structures.
The deeper collaboration will enable existing stakeholders and potential new investors in Volvo Cars and Geely Auto to value their respective standalone strategies, performance, financial exposure and returns. We will also have the opportunity to explore capital market options.
The collaboration will be overseen by a new governance model, supported by Geely Holding, the lead shareholder in both companies.
Volvo Cars and Geely Auto confirmed the combination of their existing powertrain operations into a new standalone company. The company, expected to become operational this year, will provide internal combustion engines, transmissions, and next-generation dual-motor hybrid systems for use by both companies as well as other automobile manufacturers.
Through the collaboration, the two companies will focus on the development and sourcing of next-generation technologies, from connectivity and autonomous drive to car sharing and electrification. They are planning to share and jointly source batteries, electric motors and connectivity solutions that will generate valuable synergies. This will include the joint development of a world-leading autonomous driving (AD) solution under the lead of Zenseact, Volvo Cars AD software development company.
The two companies, which are planning to share the new SEA and SPA2 electric architectures among their brands, have launched combined efforts to drive speed and efficiencies in the development of hardware and software for the next-generation world-leading modular EV architectures. Intended sharing of platforms and architectures between the companies will drive additional synergies and allow for an expansion of product portfolios across the Volvo Cars, Geely, Lynk & Co and Polestar brands, and external partners.
Leveraging Volvo Cars’ existing distribution and service network, the two companies will also collaborate on the global expansion of the jointly owned Lynk & Co brand.
Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, said: “Having evaluated different options to realise value, we concluded jointly that a collaboration model between two standalone companies is the best way to secure continued growth and at the same time achieve technological synergies in many areas. We welcome the opportunity of further and deeper collaboration with Geely Auto.”
An Conghui, President and CEO of Geely Auto, said: “Geely Auto looks forward to partnering more closely with Volvo Cars, achieving significant synergies for our respective businesses. This will enable Geely Auto to accelerate its global expansion, to capitalise on our strengths in China and develop a new generation of world-class new energy vehicles and associated mobility services.”
The collaboration agreement has been welcomed by Li Shufu, Chairman of Geely Holding, the parent company of Volvo Cars and the largest shareholder in Geely Auto.
“As shareholders and portfolio-managers of both wholly-owned and listed companies, Geely Holding sees significant benefits from deeper partnerships and alliances whilst maintaining independence,” said Li Shufu. “We are encouraged by the potential synergies and growth opportunities created by this collaboration, which will create two even stronger globally competitive companies in the rapidly changing world of automotive technology and new mobility services.”
