Volvo owner Geely has announced a partnership with Saudi-owned distributor Jameel Motors to break into the UK market for electric vans.
Farizon, a Chinese EV manufacturer owned by Geely, will launch its SV vans through Jameel in the first half of next year.
Geely’s move will add to the pressure on European suppliers and heighten the prospect of a flood of cheap Chinese imports swamping the market.
Vauxhall owner Stellantis recently announced it shutting its EV van-making plant at Luton, shifting production to its Ellesmere Port site.
Stellantis has been critical of the UK’s 2030 deadline for switching fully to electric vehicles, a process that has already led to heavy price discounting to boost sales.
Under the rules, manufacturers have to sell a higher proportion of EVs each year until 2030 or face fines per non-compliant vehicle sold.
Due to the discounting, the market share for battery electric cars in November exceeded the mandated target for the first time, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
As well as owning Volvo, Geely owns the London Taxi Company, which makes the Capital’s black cabs.
Jameel Motors is owned by Saudi Arabia's Abdul Latif Jameel Group.