China Car Times

The below interview of Li Shu Fu, the CEO of Geely, was interviewed by Sina Auto Channel. The translation was carried out by CCT.

Geely Wants To Make the Best Car In The World

Sina: The automobile environment has changed drastically, the competition is getting stronger and strong, what will Geelys next step be?

Li Shu Fu (LSF):  Now we need to rely on our technology. With regards to world automotive technology levels, they have over 100 years of development, experience, direction, and scope. We need to follow this development plan and make breakthroughs in the area of safety, environmental aspects, economy area etc. If we make breakthroughs in these areas we will never look back. We need to be the leader in all areas, we need to have the most environmentally friendly car, the most economical, and the safest car, this is what we are persueing.

Why did you develop BMBS? (China’s Geely Blow-Out Monitoring & Braking System)

LSF: We developed a world class BMBS system, its when you’re driving at speed and suddenly your tyre blows out we’ve put a safety barrier in there. The worlds automotive companies have been looking for a solution to blow outs for a long time, in over a years nobody was able to solve this problem. We believe that its impossible for tyres not to explode, tryres exploded and then fix themselves is not science. No matter if you drive fast, 180kph, or 200kph, our research was based around keeping the car stable so as to avoid crashes and incidents.

Sina: What is the concept behind ‘Electronic Balancing’? Why does Geely believe this is important technology?

LSF: Our electronic balancing is similar to super hybrid power, this is a superior technology. From next year, our Yuan Jing model will perhaps use this new technology. We plan to use this new technology in Beijing, no matter how steep the road is, the car will use around 3l of fuel per 100km of travel. This technology takes the energy from burning fuel, and turns it into stored electrical energy, which can then be used to propel the car, this car has zero waste.

Sina: Geely has factories in many Chinese cities what factors come into choosing a factory location, and what is your global stratergy?

LSF: In the Eastern part of China, we have factories in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Lu Qiao, and in Jinan (Shandong province) we have bought a piece of land for a future factory. In central China we have built a large factory in Hunan province, thats big enough to produce 100,000 cars. In the future, our midrange cars will be produced there, or Hunan and Ningbo factories will both produce mid range cars, our Jinan factory will mid range high class cars, these will be 2.4l and above, and will measure 4.8m and up. This car will be a luxury car, and will be totally self developed to fight against the Honda Accord, and the Toyota Camry.

In 2006, Geely built a factory in Malaysia to assemble CKD kits for the local market. Later, the Malaysian government changed their policies as they believed Geely would affect their local brands, such as Proton and Lotus. We moved that factory to Indonesia.  In Ukraine, we also have a CKD operation where we build the freedom vessel, and the King Kong model. In North America, we have plans for an operation in Mexico, we have a large scope for North America, we plan to sell 300,000 cars in that continent.

Sina: We havent heard much about your partnership with Manganese Bronze, what is happening there?

LSF: We are the largest share holder in a joint venture with Manganese Bronze to produce the London taxi in China. The JV is between Shanghai Maple, and Manganese Bronze. Our taxis have already been delivered for Olympic use in Beijing, we signed over 30 cars to aid in helping disabled guests move about the capital. The most iconic taxi in the world is being used in Beijing, and furthermore, its a Geely product.