Chinese EV Maker Geely Heads to Canada in 2027

A major Chinese automaker just opened the door to selling affordable electric vehicles in North America, and it could reshape the continent's EV market.

Geely Auto announced Friday it will begin selling electric vehicles in Canada starting in 2027. The company becomes the first Chinese mass-market EV brand to establish operations in North America, bringing fresh competition to a market hungry for more affordable electric options.

The automaker is already building its Canadian team and recruiting dealers across the country. While specific models, pricing, and dealership locations haven't been announced yet, Geely's global track record suggests Canadian buyers could soon access competitively priced EVs that have already proven popular overseas.

"Canada represents an important next step in Geely Auto's international growth," said Bryan Wu, managing director of Geely Auto Canada. "We know that trust is earned over time, and we are committed to earning it here."

The timing follows a January agreement between Canada and China that created a pathway for Chinese EVs. Ottawa established a quota allowing 49,000 Chinese-built EVs annually at a 6.1% duty, replacing a prohibitive 100% tariff that effectively blocked the market.

Geely isn't alone in eyeing Canada. BYD plans to open 20 Canadian dealerships starting in Toronto, while another Chinese automaker, Chery, is also setting up distribution networks.

The Ripple Effect

For Canadian consumers, this expansion means more choices and potentially lower prices in the EV market. Geely sold over 3 million vehicles globally in 2024, including 1.69 million new energy vehicles, proving it can deliver at scale.

The company markets vehicles under the Geely, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr brands. Its parent company also owns familiar names like Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus, bringing decades of automotive expertise to the table.

Canada represents as far into North America as Chinese automakers can currently reach. U.S. restrictions on Chinese connected-vehicle technology have effectively closed American markets to Chinese-built cars, making Canada the only viable entry point on the continent.

The strategy appears well-timed. While Geely's sales inside China dropped 23% through the first nine months of this year, overseas shipments jumped 169% to 798,000 units, showing the company's successful pivot to international markets.

Canadians interested in following Geely's progress can check the company's newly launched website at geely.ca for updates on models, pricing, and dealer locations as the 2027 launch approaches.