Global innovative cooperation highlights ‘Made in China 2025’ policy during Premier Li European state visit.
2 June 2017, Brussels, Belgium. During the ninth EU-China Summit, Premier Li Keqiang and the Chinese delegation visited the Geely-Volvo Innovation Display with Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel where they were welcomed by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group’s (Geely Holding) Chairman Eric Li. Chairman Li briefed the two on the Geely and Volvo jointly developed Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) as well as the LYNK & CO 01 and Volvo XC40 Concept vehicle, both of which utilizes the new architecture. Premier Li praised Geely and Volvo for becoming a model for collaborative innovation and hoped the two groups will continue to strengthen their innovative relationship, develop their respective strengths, and increase the competitiveness of the global market through their combined talents, capital, technology, and market reach.
The Geely-Volvo Innovation Display, created around the theme of “Made in China 2025,” allowed Chairman Li to showcase the results of Geely’s collaborative R&D efforts in Europe. Geely’s integration of its global resources and efforts to synergize internal operations have resulted in a broadening and deepening of relationships between Geely, Belgium, and other European nations in which it operates, a symbol of further collaboration between China and Europe. The revival of the Volvo factory in Ghent is a prime example of the deepening relationship between China and Belgium and the jointly developed CMA architecture has become a model for technological exchange and cooperation between China and Europe.
The cutting-edge CMA architecture was developed over a three-year period using European research methods and development philosophy by a global team of engineers from over 20 countries at the China Euro Vehicle Technology Centre (CEVT) in Gothenburg, Sweden. The CMA project lets both brands use three-cylinder, four-cylinder, hybrid, and pure electric engines on a highly adaptable architecture that allows for the creation of multiple classes of cars, including crossovers, SUVs, coupes, hatchbacks, sedans, etc to meet the demands of different market segments while achieving economy of scale, reduced costs, and increased synergy. Volvo’s Ghent factory will be one of Geely Holding’s first factories to benefit from the adoption of the CMA architecture with the production of the XC40 and subsequent CMA based vehicles. Geely Auto Group’s global brand, LYNK & Co will also be using the architecture on its first model, the 01 which was exhibited at the Geely-Volvo Innovation Display.
LYNK & CO is a high-end automobile brand based on European technology, European design, global manufacturing, and global sales. It was unveiled in Berlin on October 20, 2016 to great fanfare. The cars were designed and developed at CEVT and will share production bases with Volvo in China, ensuring that the cars will be manufactured with the same world-class quality as Volvo.
During the visit, Premier Li and Belgium PM Michel enthusiastically sat in LYNK & CO’s newly developed 01 model, where they were able to experience first-hand the vehicle’s comfort and sophistication. Premier Li asked in detail about the engine design, fuel economy, materials, and business model. He praised Geely on the personalized design and flexible production of LYNK & CO and encouraged the group to continue introducing such products to meet the demands of different consumer groups.
They were also briefed on Volvo’s cutting edge research into new energy, autonomous driving, and vehicle connectivity as well as Geely’s global design, R&D, production capabilities, and pure methanol vehicle test pilot program. In early 2016, Geely Auto launched a methanol vehicle test pilot program in Iceland. So far, all the vehicles have performed exceptionally without any accidents or issues reported. In regards to sustainable energy and environmental protection, Geely Holding has made huge strides in promoting the use of safe and clean methanol fuel vehicles.
Before the end of their visit, Premier Li viewed live video of Geely’s ongoing R&D and production around the world. It was noted that since Geely’s acquisition of Volvo in 2010, the factory in Ghent, Belgium has become Volvo’s largest production base outside of Sweden. The factory’s steady growth since then has been effective in creating local jobs. Premier Li commented that “implementation of the “Made in China 2025” policy will promote a new round of opening up for China. We encourage Chinese enterprises to improve their technology by opening up, finding collaboration opportunities, honing their craftsmanship, and upgrading their manufacturing in China. We also welcome more foreign enterprises to invest in China and form complementary and mutually beneficial collaborative partnerships.”
Chairman Eric Li commented, “We are honoured today to have both Premier Li Keqiang and PM Charles Michel here personally to witness our commitment to the “Made in China 2025” policy which benefits China and Europe, and of course Belgium. Zhejiang Geely Holding Group is developing its global R&D, design, production, and sales network to create innovative technologies, increase the competitiveness of the market, develop vehicles with the highest level of craftsmanship, and show what it really means to be “Made in China.” Geely Holding’s usage of two-way exchange of capital and technology along with its open, pragmatic, and sincere relationship with European partners has also shown the mutually beneficial, win-win nature of a diversified global economy.”