Geely's Lynk & Co hybrids to enter Korea via Renault Samsung

Renault Group and Geely Holding Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop hybrid vehicles in China and South Korea.

Following the adoption by Geely Holding’s open-source strategy for its full vehicle architectures, Geely Holding will partner with Renault Group in the Chinese and Korean markets, which will be the initial key core markets, Geely said in a statement.

The cooperation will allow Renault Group and Geely Holding to share resources and technologies, with the focus on hybrid vehicles in the fast-growing Asian markets.    

In China, based on Geely Holding’s existing technologies and mature industrial footprint, both partners will jointly introduce Renault-branded hybrid vehicles. Renault will contribute on branding strategy, channel and service development, defining appropriate customer journey.

In South Korea, where Renault Samsung Motors has over two decades of experience, the MoU allows Renault Group and Geely Holding to jointly explore localization of vehicles based on Lynk & Co’s vehicle platforms for local markets. Further details on the hybrid vehicles have yet to be disclosed.

As emissions regulations tighten around the world, the use of hybrid vehicles that have higher fuel efficiency allows carmakers to meet the regulations.