China’s EV Juggernaut: How Geely’s 56% NEV Penetration Redefines Global Auto Power

Is the age of internal combustion engines truly over in China? Geely Holding Group’s staggering 2025 full-year results suggest the answer is a resounding yes for the nation’s auto giants. The conglomerate reported total sales of 4.116 million vehicles, a 26% year-over-year jump, but the real headline for Western markets is the Geely 2025 sales volume of 2.29 million new-energy vehicles (NEVs), pushing its overall NEV penetration rate to an astonishing 56%. This isn’t just growth; it’s a fundamental shift in product mix that should concern legacy automakers in the US and EU.

For Western investors tracking the transition, Geely—which owns Volvo and Lotus—is a critical bellwether. A 56% penetration rate for an automotive group of this scale signals that the EV transition is moving from early adoption to mainstream domination in the world’s largest auto market.

H2: The Numbers: A Group Effort Across Global Brands

Geely Holding’s success is built on a multi-brand strategy, effectively insulating it from reliance on any single segment. The core listed entity, Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., was a massive growth engine, achieving 3.02 million sales (up 39% YoY) with NEVs surging by 90% to 1.69 million units, exceeding its annual target.

H3: Brand Scorecard: Where the Growth Came From

• Geely Galaxy: The standout performer, hitting 1.24 million sales—a 150% YoY explosion—and achieving its stated ‘Million Galaxy’ goal.
• ZEEKR: The premium EV brand delivered 224,000 units, signaling success in the high-end space, with its ZEEKR 9X leading the large SUV segment over CNY 500,000.
• Lynk & Co: Continued solid growth, surpassing 350,000 annual sales (up 23% YoY).
• Volvo Cars: Maintained global reach with 710,042 sales, though its NEV penetration was slightly lower than the group average at 46%.
• Polestar & Lotus: Polestar sales topped 60,000 (up 30%+ YoY), while Lotus saw its Eletre sales jump 30% in the critical Chinese market.

H2: Analysis: Why Geely’s 56% NEV Mix Matters to the West

The 56% NEV penetration rate is the key takeaway. This metric confirms that Chinese consumers are rapidly abandoning traditional powertrains, supported by aggressive local policy and product availability. For a Western executive, this means:

• Product Portfolio Pressure: Geely is proving that a massive, diversified portfolio can successfully pivot to electrification *without* sacrificing overall volume or breaking into luxury niches (ZEEKR).
• Scale & Speed: The five consecutive years of rapid growth culminating in the 4 million unit mark shows operational execution that rivals—and in some areas, outpaces—global peers.
• Export Strategy: The strong domestic performance provides the financial backing and scale necessary for aggressive global expansion, as evidenced by Farizon’s nearly 500% YoY overseas commercial vehicle growth.

Furthermore, Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. itself sold 3.02 million units, exceeding its own 3 million target, underscoring the core business’s electrification success with a 90% NEV surge. This success positions Geely as a major challenger to BYD in the race for top private automaker status in China.

H2: Looking Ahead: The 2026 Trajectory

Geely isn’t slowing down. The group is guided by the ‘Taizhou Declaration’ as it approaches its 40th anniversary in 2026. Geely Auto has already set an ambitious 2026 target of 3.45 million units, projecting continued double-digit growth. Western industry players must factor in this sustained pace. See our analysis on how European automakers are struggling to match this pace.

H2: Recommended Reading for Auto Market Analysts

To fully grasp the internal dynamics driving these record-breaking shifts in consumer behavior and supply chain management, we recommend reading: ‘The Battle for the Future: China’s Race to Dominate Electric Vehicles’. Understanding the domestic competitive landscape is essential for forecasting global market share.

Disclaimer: All figures are based on Geely Holding Group’s January 9, 2026 release covering the full 2025 fiscal year. For deeper financial context, consult official reports from sources like Reuters or Bloomberg.