Geely Monjaro EM-i shown from the front. The hybrid D-SUV is set to begin its global rollout in Egypt in late August. Credit: Geely
- The Geely Monjaro EM-i is built on the GEA Evo architecture and is its first model for overseas markets equipped with e-AWD four-wheel drive.
- The Monjaro is the overseas version of Geely’s Xingyue L and is already sold in markets including Russia, the Middle East, Australia and Latin America.
Geely Auto (HKEX: 0175) has named its first global hybrid D-SUV the Monjaro EM-i, with a global roll-out set to begin in late August in Egypt.
Geely said the Monjaro name is inspired by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, symbolizing climbing and breakthroughs, while EM-i refers to the vehicle’s hybrid technology.
The company described the model on Wednesday as a “global benchmark for a high-quality driving and riding experience in the hybrid D-SUV segment.”
The Monjaro EM-i is built on the GEA (Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture) Evo architecture and is Geely’s first model for overseas markets equipped with e-AWD intelligent electric four-wheel drive, which offers millisecond-level response.
The company said the model delivers flagship-level advances in performance, comfort, intelligence and safety.
Notably, the Monjaro is essentially the overseas version of Geely’s Xingyue L in terms of exterior design. It is currently sold in markets including Russia, the Middle East, Australia and Latin America, with 2.0T gasoline and hybrid powertrain options. The new EM-i version will broaden its powertrain lineup overseas.
The Xingyue L is one of Geely’s key sales drivers in China. On July 25, Geely said cumulative sales of the model had surpassed 1 million units, making it the first premium gasoline-powered SUV from a Chinese brand to reach the milestone. The 1 millionth vehicle rolled off the production line at Geely’s lights-out factory in Xi’an.
The product lineup is still expanding. A filing in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s 410th batch of new vehicle catalog disclosures on August 7 showed that the Xingyue L Plus had completed its regulatory filing, with 2 hybrid versions and 2 gasoline versions. The model has a 2,900 mm wheelbase and measures 4,955 mm in length.
The new model comes as overseas markets emerge as Geely’s only source of sales growth. The company exported 474,228 vehicles in the first half, surging 157.6% year-on-year. Exports reached a record 106,663 units in July, up 202% year-on-year, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.
Domestic demand weakened over the same period. Geely’s China sales fell 22.6% year-on-year to 948,730 units in the first half and declined 29.1% in July.
At its interim results briefing on August 17, Geely raised its full-year export target to 920,000 vehicles from 640,000 and said it would aim for overseas sales of 1 million units. Latin America and Africa, which includes Egypt, has been designated as one of its key markets with a sales target of around 200,000 vehicles.
The company posted revenue of 173.6 billion yuan ($25.6 billion) in the first half, up 15% year-on-year to a record high, according to financial results released earlier this week.
Geely Auto sold 106,663 vehicles overseas in July, topping 100,000 for the second consecutive month.
($1 = 6.7808 yuan)
