17:22 05-05-2026

Geely's Electrified STARRAY EM-i and E5 Debut in France

Geely officially enters French market with STARRAY EM-i and E5, both 5-star Euro NCAP rated. Plans 70 sales points by 2026, targeting 5% market share by 2030.

Geely has officially entered the French market, hosting its launch event at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. The first two models it brought along are the STARRAY EM-i and the E5.

Both are already sold in over 40 countries and cover two important segments for the brand: the STARRAY EM-i handles the electrified side of things, while the E5 is the fully electric offering. For European buyers, the key point isn’t the Chinese origin but the safety credentials—both have earned five-star Euro NCAP ratings and comply with EU requirements for body protection, battery safety and environmental standards.

Geely isn’t limiting itself to a one-off premier. The plan is to build 70 sales points in France by 2026 and grow the network to 170 by 2028. This practical layer is crucial because without a proper dealer network, service, and clear local support, even the strongest model will quickly lose trust in Europe.

Jin Guanyu, general manager of Geely Auto France, said the brand aims to combine a global system with localized service to offer French customers safe, efficient and eco-friendly mobility. The strategic goal sounds ambitious: capture 5% of the French market by 2030.

Geely’s main risk isn’t on the technical side—it’s the competition. In France, it will have to fight not just European marques but also other Chinese brands that have already accelerated their expansion. The near-term metric to watch is whether the company can actually open those 70 sales points in 2026. Without that network, the 5% goal for 2030 risks remaining simply an attractive number from a presentation.