Geely Bets on Mexico as AI Mobility Hub

GEELY Auto is positioning Mexico as a key market in its global strategy focused on artificial intelligence, electrification and hybrid mobility, as the Chinese automaker expands its presence in one of Latin America’s largest automotive markets.

During a media event in Mexico City, company executives outlined GEELY’s vision for the next phase of automotive development. Rather than focusing exclusively on battery-electric vehicles, the company said future competition will be driven by software, artificial intelligence, intelligent energy management and hybrid technologies.

The presentation was led by Bryan Wu, CEO, GEELY Auto Mexico, and Yi Xinyu, president, GEELY Auto Group Vehicle Research Institute and executive vice president of GEELY International Corporation. Executives described Mexico as a strategic market because it remains in a transitional stage where internal combustion, hybrid and fully electric vehicles coexist.

According to GEELY, this environment creates demand for technologies capable of meeting diverse consumer needs while supporting the gradual adoption of electrified mobility. “Mexican consumers are willing to try new proposals as long as they find quality, innovation and good service,” Wu said. 

The company’s sales performance reflects its growing footprint in the country. GEELY reported sales of 4,230 vehicles in Mexico during May 2026, representing year-over-year growth of 295%. During the first five months of the year, the automaker sold 19,018 units, an increase of 279.4% compared with the same period in 2025, according to INEGI.

Wu said the company’s priorities extend beyond short-term sales targets. “Our priority is to build a long-term presence based on trust, user experience and adaptation to the local market,” he said.

Mexico’s automotive market has become increasingly important for Chinese manufacturers. Vehicles produced in China represented 22.8% of total vehicle sales in Mexico during the January-May 2026 period. Industry estimates indicate that the share rises to approximately 28% when brands that do not report directly to INEGI are included. Chinese automakers collectively accounted for 11.4% of Mexico’s light-vehicle market, with adjusted estimates placing their market share closer to 17% when non-reporting manufacturers are considered.

The country’s electrification market also continues to expand. According to the Electromobility Association’s Electromobility Barometer, 25,003 electric and electrified vehicles were sold in Mexico in 1Q26,including 10,340 battery-electric vehicles, 14,617 plug-in hybrid vehicles and 46 range-extended electric vehicles. Cumulative historical sales reached 235,501 units, led by plug-in hybrids with 120,123 units, followed by battery-electric vehicles with 114,905 units.

GEELY executives argued that these market conditions support the adoption of hybrid technologies as consumers seek lower fuel costs while charging infrastructure continues to develop across the country.

Artificial intelligence was a central theme of the event. Yi Xinyu compared the industry’s current transformation to the introduction of smartphones, arguing that electrification represents only the first stage of a broader technological shift. “The next phase will be defined by artificial intelligence,” Yi said.

The company said modern vehicles are evolving from mechanical products into intelligent computing platforms capable of processing vast amounts of data in real time. GEELY highlighted its investments in supercomputing infrastructure, proprietary artificial intelligence models and advanced driver-assistance systems.

According to the company, more than 8.5 million vehicles equipped with intelligent driving technologies are currently operating with systems developed by GEELY. The automaker also said it has accumulated data from billions of kilometers driven under real-world conditions.

Executives emphasized that software is becoming as important as traditional automotive engineering. “For automakers, the future will not depend solely on building better vehicles but on creating complete technological ecosystems,” company representatives said during the presentation.

The company’s hybrid strategy is centered on its Thunder EM-i Super Hybrid platform, which GEELY described as a solution designed for markets where charging infrastructure remains limited. The system combines a high-efficiency internal combustion engine, an integrated electric powertrain and an artificial intelligence-based energy management platform.

Unlike conventional hybrid systems, GEELY said the architecture is designed to maximize electric driving while seamlessly managing transitions between electric and gasoline power sources.

The company highlighted the performance of the EX5 EM-i hybrid model, which recorded fuel consumption of 3.83 liters per 100 kilometers during an efficiency test conducted in Australia.

Executives argued that hybrid technologies could provide a practical pathway toward electrification in countries such as Mexico, where fuel costs remain a significant factor in purchasing decisions.

GEELY also confirmed plans to continue investing in both internal combustion technologies and new-energy vehicles. The automaker expects to expand its local portfolio with additional SUVs, pickup trucks and electrified models as it strengthens its presence in the Mexican market.

“We want to be here for decades. We are not thinking about one or two years. We want to build a long-term presence,” Wu said.