In a sense, the Israeli car manufacturer Geely is in a unique situation. On one hand, it is one of the automotive giants holding an arsenal of brands and partnerships such as Lotus, Volvo, Polestar, Smart, and joint ventures with Mercedes. On the other hand, as far as the Israeli customer knows and sees, it is a Chinese manufacturer with a single model in the showroom since it was launched in 2021. Despite statements about entering Europe, there are no signs on the ground indicating such a move. Is this a one-hit wonder or does the brand have plans for the future?
As of writing these lines, since the launch of the Geely Geometry C, the only model of the manufacturer in Israel (marketed in two range versions), slightly over 16,000 units of the Geely Geometry C have hit the road. These are excellent numbers that position it as the second most popular electric car in the country after the BYD Atto 3 and one of the top ten best-selling cars in the country in recent years.
But Geely is now in a very different market from what it was when it was launched here, with dozens of electric models. The Geely Geometry C has indeed maintained its position as a car targeting a wide audience in terms of price ranges that began at NIS 134,000 and are now standing at NIS 150,000 (matching price increases due to tax hikes). It still enjoys a relatively long range in the 480 version, but with a model that is starting to show signs of aging, standing alone in the showroom compared to five in BYD, and two even in ORA.
This will change next year. Gili recently unveiled the Galaxy E5, an electric crossover that will be positioned above the C Geometry in terms of dimensions. The model has already been introduced in a plug-in version and is expected to expand to an electric version as well. With a length of 4.61 meters, width of 1.9 meters, height of 1.67 meters, and a wheelbase of 2.75 meters, these dimensions place it among vehicles like the BYD Atto 3 and the SERES 5.
Information about the electric version has not been released yet, but the estimation is that its LFP battery version will have a power output of around 218 kW. From the passenger cell photos, it seems that Gili chose to go for a minimalist approach, with a digital dashboard and a central multimedia screen. A head-up display will be offered at least in the higher trim levels, and there is also a wireless charging surface and storage compartment under the central console.
Alongside it, another electric model will be launched. It should be noted in this context that Gili also has a very intriguing flag model in the form of the E8. A large sedan with a length of just over 5 meters, a wheelbase of 292 cm, an engine with a power output of around 630 kW providing acceleration to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. The car has an 800V electrical system that is supposed to provide ultra-fast charging capabilities and a realistic range of around 460 km. Is this the model in question? It is too early to tell. Perhaps it will also be one of two other models that the importer plans to launch here in 2026.
In the context of this development, it is necessary to mention that with the beginning of marketing in Israel, it was talked about as the opening shot for Geely's entry into Europe, which did not actually happen. Ronen Yablon, CEO of Geely Israel, attributes the reason for this to the crises experienced by the global market (such as Corona/chips). "Delays were created in the world, but the year 2025 appears to be Geely's breakthrough year in the global automotive market".
Does the fact that Geely's single model on offer deter the Israeli customer? The importer does not think so, "We see that there are close to 30 brands, but only a few of them are actually sold in significant numbers (those that have managed to surpass 1,000 deliveries per year). The manufacturer and us continue to invest in developing the market in Israel, and we are only at the beginning of the road".
What about expanding the offering to hybrid and plug-in models offered by the manufacturer? According to Yablon, this is definitely an option that is on the table, and "we may see plug-in and hybrid models here in the future" Yablon says. The condition for this is obtaining European certification that will also allow sales in volumes of more than just a few hundred units per year.