Geely Goes Down Under

Chinese manufacturer Geely has signed a partnership agreement with a Perth-based dealer to begin marketing Geely vehicles in the country starting February 2010. According to Australian media reports, the deal will extend for 15 years and involves dealer John Hughes. Geely thus becomes the first Chinese carmaker to make it down under.

"I think we'll be the first Chinese passenger car to come to Australia. I don't think anyone should bring cars in November or December, because the duty drops in January, so we'll be first,'' Hughes told the Herald-Sun, quoted by just-auto.com.

"We will land the first two evaluation cars in September. We'll go from there. I'm kicking them off in WA because the Chinese are anxious to get them in as quickly as possible," added the dealer, without naming the vehicles to be brought into the country. Hughes did however confirm that eventually the Geely MK will come to Australia.

"I believe firmly in the future of the Chinese product. For me, it's not a question of why, it's a question of why not?'' he added.

Geely's expansion thus continues to Australia after earlier this month the manufacturer, together with Austrian car dealer Denzel announced Geely vehicles will become available in Europe starting 2010. Of course, as is the case with Australia, the cars to be exported by Geely will have to comply with local safety requirements.

This move may be considered a type of bak-up plan for Geely to enter Europe should the long-rumored take-over of Swedish manufacturer Volvo go south.