Geely in Australia

28843 Views 17 Replies 8 Participants Last post by paulbe, Apr 28, 2011

KiwiGuy

Discussion Starter · Aug 11, 2009

As, I've said in the MK thread, a Western Australian importer has decided to import 500 MK hatchbacks into Western Australia with news that Geely is to go global by entering Australia with the Panda model. The MK will be well priced below competitors with the Corolla selling at AUS$22,000. The MK will be available at only AUS$13,000. Also, with Geely's ambitious new plans, this could also mean that they will introduce newer models as well and expand further into similar markets like Great Wall did when it launched in both countries earlier this year. I think Geely will have the same success Great Wall did because they too were imported before being officially launched.

Watch this space.:thumb:

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

nzsaab

· #2 · Aug 11, 2009

Panda ae, that reminds me of that creepy Seat Panda advert!

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KiwiGuy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 12, 2009

nzsaab, this is Geely Panda:

BTW you have avatar, now I has avatar!

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nzsaab

· #4 · Aug 12, 2009

Now that car should win an award for actualy having a name that looks like the car! THIS REALLY IS A PANDA! WELL DONE GEELY, it very cute.

And yes I have an avatar and it looks very corporate dont you think?

KiwiGuy

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 12, 2009

And it's very safe, passing all tests in China and comes equipped with SIX airbags! Which probably means not only front, but side and possible curtain airbags as well.
You're right. It does look like a panda. Pity, because people say it's clones from the Echo or something like that.

Look at the other Geely models in the Concept cars and Name change threads for a glimpse of what might be coming.

nzsaab

· #6 · Aug 12, 2009

Do you have anymore pictures of it?

KiwiGuy

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 12, 2009

3

Interior

Cross version (GX3)

Crash test

Also in the works is an electric version.

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TonyJZX

· #8 · Aug 14, 2009

i like the Geely GX313 crossover - the normal hatch, not so much

does it actually have a 4wd chassis? and the basic 1.3lt 60kW motor is probably not enough... and 14" rims is slightly too small

strange that it'll be called the Geely Panda when there's already a Fiat Panda but the Panda is a typically Chinese name

KiwiGuy

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 14, 2009

It will probably be the same chassis as the normal hatch. It's funny because it actually looks like a Panda. I wouldn't think people will use it in a serious off road fashion, I mean, have you ever seen one of those little Daihatsu Terios' rumbling around on a farm?

TonyJZX

· #10 · Aug 14, 2009

only on Top Gear... the Terios was never sold in Australia since Daihatsu left here 5 years ago

the closest is the Suzuki SX4 and the Nissan Dualis. I think the Panda is just too friggin' cute for males to drive. The Crossover sorta evens that out a bit.

KiwiGuy

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 15, 2009

That's interesting. Daihatsu sells here. I agree. Panda is too cute for men to drive but I think it will do well with those sorts who stff Chihuahuas in handbags and those who are retired.

I'm pretty sure the SX4 has the market all to itself. Should be a decent competitor I think. BTW, do you know about the MK. Do you know what it looks like?

KiwiGuy

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 6, 2009

New article: Fiat to ban Geely from using the Panda name in Australia

From www.goauto.com.au:

A PLAN by Geely to export its 1.0-litre four-seater micro-car to Australia has been hit with a potential stumbling block from Fiat, which will attempt to prevent the Chinese brand from using the Panda name here because it is already used by the Italian maker in markets outside of Australia.

As we reported earlier this month, West Australian automotive magnate John Hughes plans to introduce the Geely brand in Australia early next year via the Toyota Corolla-sized 1.5-litre Geely MK sedan and hatch.

The MK, which will be among the first Chinese-branded passenger cars to be sold in Australia, will be followed about a year later by Geely’s 1.0-litre Panda light-car.

But Australian Fiat importer Ateco Automotive says the Italian giant will take action to prevent Geely from marketing the Panda name in Australia.

“We have forwarded details of this naming issue to Fiat in Italy and they will be taking up proceedings to protect the rights of what is a volume-selling model worldwide for Fiat,” Ateco spokesman Edward Rowe told GoAuto.

Mr Rowe said the entry-level Fiat Panda, which is not sold in Australia, is an important model for Fiat globally, and that the company was keen to prevent the same model nameplate being used by Geely outside of China.

Australian Geely importer, Chinese Automotive Distributors’ John Hughes, said he was disappointed at the news, and that Australia would represent the fledgling brand’s first foray into a “sophisticated” market outside Singapore, which doesn’t require the fitment of standard airbags.

“It’s a shame because we had intended to call the car the Panda,” he said. “That’s what’s it’s known as and what it sells as around the world. After Australia, Geely plans exports to the UK, Western Europe and the US.”

Keepleft

· #13 · Sep 13, 2009

Importers will note Australia is to *mandate* ESP, side curtain airbags, front airbags for 'passenger car' categories by 2010-2011, owing a push by the State government of Victoria, this has caused the Australian federal government to play catch-up with its national design rules.

Governing regulation is referred as 'ADR' (Australian Design Rules), in turn, much of these are harmonised with the UNECE Global Technical Regulations for motor vehicles, and will continue to further do so.

Marsnomonkey

· #14 · Oct 26, 2010

Geely in Australia?

Hi guys, is there any chance that I can get a Geely in Australia? I've already got a GreatWall x240, super awesome 4wd, and now I want to get a Geely which I've known for decade but never saw!

Any Geely dealer in NSW? Or national wide?

eek: get 1 for all cost!)

I don't want a left driving version so I can roll it.

Appreciate any reply(s)!

TonyJZX

· #15 · Oct 26, 2010

Re: Geely in Australia?

http://goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/10051F9F0107A45BCA2577C800176A38

you have an r33 skyline too?

john999

· #16 · Apr 27, 2011 (Edited by Moderator)

TonyJZX said:
only on Top Gear... the Terios was never sold in Australia since Daihatsu left here 5 years ago

the closest is the Suzuki SX4 and the Nissan Dualis. I think the Panda is just too friggin' cute for males to drive. The Crossover sorta evens that out a bit.

The Daihatsu Terios was definitley sold in Australia.

I remember the goofy advertisments with the "Avengers" girl clad in black vinyl.

phaeton

· #17 · Apr 27, 2011

Re: Geely in Australia?

Marsnomonkey said:
Hi guys, is there any chance that I can get a Geely in Australia? I've already got a GreatWall x240, super awesome 4wd, and now I want to get a Geely which I've known for decade but never saw!

Any Geely dealer in NSW? Or national wide? eek: get 1 for all cost!)

I don't want a left driving version so I can roll it.

Appreciate any reply(s)!

Geely will have an Aussie wide dealership reach by the end of this year (2011).

paulbe

· #18 · Apr 28, 2011

Absolutely correct John999. I rode in one bought by a friend of mine here. Maybe they meant the second generation Terios (the BeGo) that Zotye are now peddling.

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