Geely begins EX5 EM-i hybrid SUV production in Brazil, deepening Renault partnership

• The Geely EX5 EM-i has rolled off the assembly line at the Ayrton Senna plant and is set to launch in Brazil before year-end.
• Geely said production of the EX2 electric hatchback will begin at the same plant in December.

Geely Auto (HKEX: 0175) has started local production of its EX5 EM-i hybrid SUV (sport utility vehicle) in Brazil, expanding its manufacturing footprint in Latin America through its partnership with Renault.

The first locally produced EX5 EM-i has rolled off the assembly line at the upgraded Ayrton Senna Industrial Complex, Renault Geely do Brasil said in a September 15 statement.

The model is scheduled to launch in Brazil before the end of 2026 and marks the first production milestone of the local partnership between Geely and Renault, according to the statement.

The production launch comes as Geely's overseas sales grow rapidly. Local manufacturing will support its expansion in Brazil and deepen its production and technology ties with Renault.

The plant has been modernized to accommodate Geely's GEA (Global Intelligent Electric Architecture), enabling production of vehicles with powertrains ranging from internal combustion engines and flex-fuel hybrids to fully electric systems.

Production of the EX2, an electric hatchback built on the GEA architecture, will begin at the facility in December 2026, the company said.

Geely had previously announced in June that local mass production of the EX2 had already begun in Brazil. The latest statement contradicts the previous announcement.

Brazil is a strategic market in Geely's global footprint, and local production marks a major step in its international expansion, said Victor Yang, senior vice president of Geely Holding Group.

Geely and Renault signed a cooperation agreement in November 2025 to accelerate the Geely brand's development in Brazil and localize production of automotive technologies for South American consumers.

Under the agreement announced at the time, Geely Holding Group and Geely Auto would acquire a 26.4% stake in Renault do Brasil, with Renault Group retaining control.

The arrangement gives Geely access to Renault's industrial and commercial resources in Brazil, while Renault can use Geely's GEA architecture to expand its lineup of zero- and low-emission vehicles.

Geely Auto's overseas sales rose 205.16% year-on-year to 110,094 vehicles in August, according to data compiled by CnEVPost. Overseas sales for the first 8 months totaled 690,985 vehicles, up 170.48%.

By comparison, Geely's total sales rose 2.44% to 1,943,313 vehicles in the first 8 months, with overseas growth far outpacing the overall business.