Chinese car manufacturer to open innovation center in Gothenburg

Photo: Business Region Göteburg

Geely, a Chinese multinational automotive manufacturing company, will establish their new Innovation Center Europe in the major Swedish city, Gothenburg.

In the presence of Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Löfven, and Chairman of Geely, Li Shufu, Geely Group and the City of Gothenburg have signed a letter of intent concerning the establishment of Geelys Innovation Center at Lindholmen Science Park yesterday, on Wednesday 28 June 2017.

The new innovation center will be of approximately 70 000 square meters and bring 3500 new jobs to Sweden, says Prime Minister Löfven, who celebrated the deal by test driving one of Geely’s new car models with Chairman Li Shufu in the backseat.

According to Business Region Göteborg, a non-profit company working to develop and strengthen trade and industry in the Gothenburg region, the Geely Group has also signed a letter of intent with Älvstranden Utveckling AB for the acquisition of a 24 500 square meter plot. There, one or more buildings will be built for several different activities within the Geely Group.

Geely also plans for other Chinese automotive operators to be able to conduct research and development in the new innovation center.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and Li Shufu, Chairman of Geely.

In a press release from Geely Group, chairman Li Shufu appreciates the support of the Swedish government and Göteborg City in the efforts to create the conditions for the Group’s research and development.

“We make a commitment to long-term investment in the Geely Innovation Center in Europe. By taking advantage of the expertise in Gothenburg, especially the planned electric mobility center at Lindholmen, we strive to develop Geely Innovation Center into one of Europe’s most advanced innovation hubs, “said Li Shufu, according to the press release.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven says, according to the same press release, that Geely developed and strengthened Volvo as a leading passenger car brand and that the establishment, together with previous significant investments, contributes to both growth and jobs in Sweden.

At the meeting at Geelys Headquarters in Hangzhou, the City of Gothenburg was represented by Ann-Sofie Hermansson, Mayor of Gothenburg, Maria Rydén from the Municipal Council and Patrik Andersson from Business Region Gothenburg. 

“The establishment of Geelys Innovation Center is a receipt for competence and innovation in developing the sustainable transport of the future. Gothenburg is world-class in this area,” says Ann-Sofie Hermansson.

“The Gothenburg region’s vehicle clusters have had remarkable growth in recent years, where several new players have been added. Geelys’ establishment will be another big and important piece of puzzle in this development, and we are pleased to be able to offer good conditions for such a big effort,” says Patrik Andersson.

Source: Business Region Göteburg