China's Geely to use new platform in building compact vehicles faster and cheaper

Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group plans to use the compact modular architecture (CMA) platform developed with Volvo Cars Corp to build new Proton brand models in Malaysia.

CMA would allow Geely to develop, design, and build various compact vehicles with similar mechanical layout faster and cheaper.

CMA, along with the B-segment modular architecture (BMA) platform for smaller cars, allows Geely to harness Volvo's technologies and Geely's capabilities in cost control, supply chain management, and local production.

The automaker also plans to use CMA or other related product platforms, such as BMA, in developing all its models for the Geely and Lynk & Co brands, while developing a new architecture for pure-battery electric vehicles with intelligent connectivity functions.

Geely intends to shift the development of some of its popular existing models like Borui and Emgrand sedans to those architectures.

Geely and Volvo's first joint production site in Taizhou exports Volvo Polestar 2 electric sedans to the US and Europe while developing Volvo's first battery-powered electric vehicle.

Plans are underway for Geely to export China-made Lynk & Co 01 SUVs to Europe this year.

The Hangzhou-based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group is seeking to merge the Volvo Cars business, which it bought in 2010, with its Hong Kong-listed Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. worth about US$22 billion by market value.

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group also acquired a 49.9 percent stake in Proton three years ago, a 9.7 percent stake in Germany's Daimler AG, and a majority stake in British sports car brand Lotus.