GEELY CK Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

The Chinese automaker Geely entered the market in 1997, and by 2005, it already had a product that could be exported, and that was the CK. It sold it in Russia, Cuba, and South America with some success despite being rated as unsafe by the Latin NCAP in 2010 when it was tested. But this car marked the early beginnings of the automotive giant.

When Geely started to build cars, it knew that it had to hire experienced people from other automakers. Their main focus was on engineers and less on designers and to produce an attractive vehicle. Moreover, there were not too many engineers to create a safe enough bodywork to pass the IIHS or the NHTSA tests. As a result, the CK couldn't be sold in the U.S. Still, the small sedan made its presence in neighboring countries from the American continent, such as Puerto Rico.

One of the most controversial elements of the car was the front fascia that resembled the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203). The four round headlights, grouped by two, made it look more upscale than it was. Later, in 2015, the CK received a visual update that led to new headlights that resembled those installed on a Chevrolet Aveo from the same era. The grille was simple, crossed by three horizontal chromed slats (one after the facelift) that sported the brand's badge in the middle. From its profile, the small-sized sedan featured almost flat body panels and a longitudinal rib that ran across the door panels towards the rear fenders. Finally, at the back, the CK sported corner-mounted taillights big enough to be visible but not wide enough to cross onto the trunk's lid. Their shape also resembled those installed on the C-Class W203 sedan. The base version of the CK came with steel wheels, while the second grade added plastic caps on them. Only the top version featured alloy wheels, and Geely offered that version only for specific markets.

Inside, the car greeted its customers with a low-budget interior. The fabric upholstery covered the seats, and the hard plastic adorned the dashboard, door cards, and the center stack. Still, the automaker considered installing four power windows and air conditioning. Furthermore, it also offered power-adjustable mirrors and a stereo. In front of the driver, the instrument cluster included four dials for the tachometer, speedometer, coolant temperature, and fuel level. Later, Geely added an LCD for a trip computer. There was no split-folding rear bench in the back where two average-sized adults could sit. Still, for short trips, it was enough to accommodate three passengers there.

Under the hood was an excellent 1.5-liter gasoline engine. Geely bought it from Toyota and installed it on the CK. In addition, they also got a five-speed manual gearbox. A four-speed automatic was also available on selected markets.