Geely Already Has The U.S. Foothold Other Chinese Automakers Want

Geely Already Has One Big Advantage in the U.S.

While U.S. politicians continue to push back against Chinese automakers entering the U.S. market, a new CNBC report says Geely Holding may already be the best-positioned Chinese carmaker to break into the U.S. market. Unlike rivals still trying to establish a foothold, Geely already has strong operational ties in the United States through familiar brands such as Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus.

Industry analysts interviewed by CNBC pointed out that Geely effectively "already sells cars in America" through its ownership stakes and partnerships. Geely Holding owns nearly 79% of Volvo Cars, controls 51% of Lotus, and maintains major influence over Polestar. Those relationships give the Chinese automaker something competitors like BYD or Nio still lack in the U.S.: factories, dealer networks, supply chains, and brand recognition already operating on American soil.

Volvo's South Carolina Plant Could Be the Key

One of the biggest assets in Geely's corner is Volvo's manufacturing plant in Charleston, South Carolina. The facility is currently operating well below its annual capacity of roughly 150,000 units. Volvo executives have already hinted they would be open to producing additional vehicles there, including potentially models tied to Geely's broader portfolio.

Volvo reportedly wants to significantly expand its American manufacturing footprint as it aims for 200,000 annual U.S. sales. The company is also preparing to build more hybrid SUVs locally. That opens the door for Geely-backed brands to potentially sidestep steep import tariffs by producing vehicles inside the United States instead of shipping them directly from China.

Zeekr May Be the Brand Americans See First

Among Geely's growing portfolio of automotive brands, analysts believe Zeekr is the most likely to officially enter the U.S. market. Positioned as a premium, performance-focused EV brand beneath Volvo, Zeekr has already started establishing a quiet presence in America through its partnership with autonomous driving company Waymo.

Waymo has deployed Zeekr-based autonomous vans in San Francisco as part of its robotaxi operations. Executives from Zeekr have also publicly expressed interest in entering the American market. Analysts believe the brand's upscale positioning, advanced EV technology, and Geely's existing infrastructure could make it the easiest Chinese automotive brand for American buyers to accept.

Chinese Automakers Are Growing Too Big to Ignore

Across all its brands, Geely reportedly sold nearly 1 million vehicles in the first quarter of 2026 alone, according to the report. Analysts say the company has also gained valuable international experience by aggressively expanding across Europe, giving it a better understanding of operating outside China compared to many of its domestic rivals.

At the same time, American consumers may be more open to Chinese vehicles than politicians expect. An earlier report found that a large percentage of U.S. buyers would consider buying a Chinese car. Among younger buyers, that number reportedly climbs close to 70%, signaling a potentially huge opportunity if regulatory barriers ease in the future.

Political Resistance Remains a Massive Obstacle

Despite Geely's positioning, entering the American market won't be easy. Chinese EVs currently face a 100% U.S. tariff, with additional duties potentially pushing costs even higher. The federal government has also moved aggressively against Chinese connected-car technology over cybersecurity concerns.

Still, some American leaders have shown openness toward Chinese automakers manufacturing vehicles domestically. Donald Trump recently said he would welcome Chinese companies building factories in the U.S. if they hire American workers and invest locally. That approach could ultimately become the path forward not just for Geely, but for the entire next wave of Chinese automakers hoping to enter the American market.

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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 11:30 AM.