Geely’s Lynk & Co Unit to Launch Sales in Europe in 2020

Geely Automobile Holding Co.’s Lynk & Co brand says it will open retail outlets in five European cities next year.

The stores will be located in Germany (Berlin), the Netherlands (Amsterdam), Spain (Barcelona), Sweden (Stockholm) and the U.K. (London). Their first model will be Lynk & Co’s 02 small crossover vehicle. It isn’t clear whether the cars will be supplied from China or Europe.

Launched in 2016, Lynk & Co currently is marketing a small sedan and two small crossover models in China. All three vehicles, which ride on the same platform that carries the Volvo XC40 small crossover, are produced in Zhangjiakou, China.

Geely acquired Volvo Car Corp. in 2010. Lynk & Co, which is 30% owned by Volvo, is pursuing such innovations as online purchasing and car-sharing among customers. The company has plans to eventually add larger Lynk & Co models that use Volvo’s “scalable product architecture” chassis.

Geely has delayed plans to begin making cars in Belgium by the end of this year, citing economic and trade uncertainties. It has delayed its timetable to enter the U.S. market, saying it needs more time to set up retail operations.