Geely Auto will begin selling vehicles in Canada in 2027, establishing a direct presence in North America that could eventually position the Chinese carmaker for entry into the much larger US market.
The company announced today that it had begun setting up Canadian operations and assembling a retail and aftersales network ahead of its commercial launch next year.
Geely has yet to identify which models will be offered, their powertrains or pricing. Details of dealerships and vehicle availability will be announced closer to launch.
The expansion comes as Canada opens its doors wider to Chinese electric vehicles following a trade agreement with Beijing earlier this year.
From March 1, Canada replaced its previous 100% surtax on Chinese-made EVs with an annual import quota of 49,000 vehicles subject to a 6.1% tariff. The quota is scheduled to increase by 6.5% annually.
The revised policy provides an opportunity for Geely to introduce competitively priced electric models alongside other vehicles from its international portfolio.
Geely Auto Canada managing director Bryan Wu said the company was committed to developing long-term relationships with local partners and customers.
The Chinese automotive group sold more than 3.02 million vehicles globally in 2025, including nearly 1.69 million electrified vehicles. Sales exceeded 2.23 million units in the first nine months of 2026.
Its wider automotive operations include the Geely, Zeekr and Lynk & Co brands, while parent Zhejiang Geely Holding also controls Volvo Cars, Polestar and Lotus.
The bigger opportunity could lie south of the Canadian border.
Although Canada offers Geely a new sales market, an established local operation could also provide valuable experience with North American customers, vehicle requirements and distribution practices.
The US represents a potentially far larger commercial opportunity, particularly if Chinese manufacturers eventually gain broader access to American consumers.
However, substantial obstacles remain. Washington maintains steep trade barriers against Chinese EVs and has introduced restrictions on connected-vehicle technology linked to China.
US regulations prohibit certain Chinese-linked vehicle software and sales by affected manufacturers from the 2027 model year, with further hardware restrictions following in 2030.
Opening dealerships in Canada would therefore provide no automatic route into the US, even if vehicles were eventually assembled locally.
Geely has announced neither a US market-entry programme nor a North American manufacturing investment.
For now, Canada represents a commercial opportunity in its own right. But establishing a presence there could also give Geely a stronger regional position should US trade and regulatory policies change in the longer term.
