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AutoWallis to be importer of the Chinese Geely Group’s electric commercial vehicle brand in 8 regional countries

2024.03.14.

The AutoWallis Group is further bolstering its international position after reaching an agreement to become the exclusive distributor in 8 Central and Eastern European countries of the Farizon brand of commercial vehicles manufactured by Geely Auto Group. The Chinese Geely Group is one of the largest vehicle manufacturers in the world, leading the way in automotive industry innovations, including self-driving technologies, electric and hybrid vehicles, and other advanced mobility solutions.

The AutoWallis Group has secured another important agreement, this time with one of the largest vehicle manufacturing companies in the world, the Zhejiang Geely Holding (Geely Auto) Group, for the exclusive distribution of Farizon commercial vehicles in 8 countries in the region (Austria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, in addition to Hungary). Farizon, launched in 2016 and owned by Geely Auto, is China’s first commercial vehicle brand to offer a full range based on new energy sources, including heavy and light commercial vehicles and buses, as well as the world’s first M100 methanol-driven heavy truck. Farizon strives to support green, zero-emissions transportation, for which it has developed its own drive systems. After enjoying success in Asia, the brand entered international markets and is now present in South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, and started European expansion in 2024.

Regarding the agreement, AutoWallis Group CEO Gábor Ormosy said that AutoWallis was among the first to conclude partnerships with Chinese brands such as BYD and MG. The company is continuously exploring further business development opportunities with the aim of continuing to increase the Group’s coverage in 16 countries and to expand the range of brands it offers – which, together with Farizon, will now number 24 – that may determine the coming period both in terms of sales growth and profit generation.

In connection with the new brand, Andrew Prest, head of AutoWallis’s Distribution Business Unit, said that distribution of the Farizon brand will start in the second half of 2024, starting with the V6E and SuperVan models. In the 8 countries in which AutoWallis will sell the Farizon brand, 176,839 light commercial vehicles were registered in 2023, with the Polish market accounting for a third. Regarding this figure, he emphasized that the agreement has strategic importance as AutoWallis had so far only distributed parts in Poland: the current step will provide a base for the Group’s presence in an important market where 576,850 new vehicles were sold in 2023.

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Auto) is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, offering a number of brands: in addition to Geely, other brands familiar in Europe include Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Zeekr, Proton, and Lynk & Co. Geely is at the forefront of automotive industry innovations, including self-driving technologies, electric and hybrid vehicles, and other advanced mobility solutions. In recent years, thanks to its position in the segment and its wide range of activities, the company has grown to become an important Chinese player on the global automotive map.

 AutoWallis to be importer of the Chinese Geely Group’s electric commercial vehicle brand in 8 regional countries