Geely Bound for U.S.

Geely Holding Group of China says it plans to enter the U.S. market before the end of the decade.

“Geely's engineers are currently working on design, engineering, and manufacturing changes that will bring their products into full compliance with U.S. safety and emission standards,” says John Harmer, vice president-Geely-USA Inc., in a statement.

Although Geely importer EER ISUZU de Puerto Rico has purchased a dozen Geely vehicles and delivered them to General Testing Laboratories in Colonial Beach, VA, “at this time, there is no effort being made to submit the Geely vehicles to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” Harmer says.

He also says no efforts have been made to establish Geely dealerships in the U.S.

“We feel that it is too early in the process to undertake that effort right now,” Harmer says. “When the infrastructure for supporting dealers has been put in place, the company will then begin to invite interested parties to become dealers. I expect that that will not happen for at least another year to 18 months.”

Geely plans to exhibit its 7151 CK model at this month's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, becoming the first Chinese auto maker to do so (see p.14).