Geely to launch its first mid-sized sedan
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. will launch its first mid-sized sedan in about two months – part of its campaign to expand into upscale market segments, says a company source.
The new car, codenamed EC825, will be fitted with 2.0- or 2.4-liter engines mated to a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. Mitsubishi Motor Corp. will supply the motors and gearboxes.
Geely will build the new model in its Jinan assembly plant in east China's Shandong province.
This will be Geely's second model that bears the Emgrand badge -- part of Geely's effort to expand into the profitable mid-sized sedan market. Created in 2009, the Emgrand brand targets customers using cars for family and business uses.
The EC825 will compete with mid-sized models like the Chevrolet Epica and FAW Besturn 70 in China's Tier 2 cities, said John Zeng, an auto market analyst with IHS Global Insight.
The EC825 is 4,905 mm long, 1,830 mm wide and 1,495 mm tall. It will have a wheelbase of 2,805 mm, according to the source.
Geely has not announced the EC825's price. Zeng expects it to be priced above 100,000 yuan ($14,800).
The first Emgrand model was the EC718 compact car. It hit the market in August 2009 with a starting price of 82,800 yuan.
