Auto Special: Geely delivers first batch of GC9 sedans to become part of Beijing diplomatic fleet

Geely Holding Group has delivered its first batch of 20 GC9 sedans to the Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions, for which a handover ceremony was held in Beijing on Friday.

The vehicles will be used for the service bureau to provide professional car services for foreign diplomats and organizations in China.

They were provided as part of an agreement reached last October, under which Geely will provide the bureau with 50 of its flagship sedans for diplomatic use.

More than 200 people participated in the ceremony, including Geely's chairman Li Shufu, assistant foreign minister Qian Hongshan, Belgium Ambassador to China Michel Malherbe, Uruguay Ambassador to China Rosario Portell, and foreign diplomats from 16 countries.

The agreement between Geely and the bureau is seen as a notable landmark in the usage of local-brand vehicles by civil servants and diplomatic personnel, as German brand Audi filled the role for many years.

With the Chinese government continuing to encourage the use of local-brand cars for such purposes and the rise in local brands' manufacturing and design levels, the Geely GC9 was selected.

"This is a real milestone for Chinese brands and should be a source of national pride," said An Conghui, president of Geely Holding Group.

"We're honored that Beijing Diplomatic Service Bureau has selected the GC9 and recognizes its status as a vehicle China can be truly proud of. I am delighted that Geely vehicles can make such a meaningful contribution and I am sure Chinese and foreign diplomats alike will enjoy the quality and beauty of the GC9," An said.

He said the GC9 will have a positive impact on the Chinese auto industry and increase confidence in local car brands.

"In the wake of the Two Sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Chinese economy is presenting new opportunities. Against this backdrop, Geely is willing to contribute to China's economic transformation by dedicating itself to developing the national economy and taking high-quality Chinese products to the world," An said.

Su Wen, deputy head of Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions, gave a speech at the ceremony in which he expressed his confidence in the future of the partnership between the bureau and Geely.

"This is a critical step forward in our partnership", Su said. "The diplomatic service bureau sincerely looks forward to more extensive and multi-level cooperation with Geely Holding Group, and to the continued development of indigenous Chinese cars in the market."

Su said the partnership with Geely was formed after a careful selection process. The GC9 sedan's place in the mid- to high-end market meets the bureau's high standards.

"We went through a long and rigorous process before selecting Geely Group as a strategic partner to provide our official vehicles. We believe the GC9 comfortably meets our strict requirements and will improve the vehicle services we are able to offer our staff and our foreign counterparts," Su said.

"This is the first time we have used cars from an indigenous Chinese brand, and we want the GC9 to serve as an example of a high-quality, China-made product and demonstrate China's development on the international stage," he said.

World-class design

The GC9 is equipped with a 1.8T turbocharged engine and 6-speed manual and automatic transmission. It produces maximum power of 163kW/5,500 rpm and offers top torque of 250 Nm/1,500-4,500 rpm.

The model is 4,956 mm long, 1,861 mm wide and 1,513 mm high with a 2,850 mm-long wheelbase. It can reach a top speed of 210 km/h. So far the model has 55 dealerships in the country.

The GC9 is the first model to be designed and produced under Geely Auto's new global design and engineering function.

The model was designed by a global team under the guidance of Peter Horbury, Geely Auto's senior vice-president of design. It blends world-class international design with uniquely Chinese aesthetics, according to the company.

Its long wheelbase and spacious interior make it ideal for diplomatic and business use, while cutting-edge features, including an air purification system, adjustable VIP seating, automatic braking, and a heads-up display system showing the vehicle's speed, course and offering navigation hints, offer passengers an extremely safe and comfortable ride, according to Geely.

The company said the GC9 is safe, comfortable and highly driveable, and that offers a very "human" technological experience.

More than 2,000 engineers from China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Australia participated in the research and development process for the model.

The GC9 is well equipped, sturdy and driver-friendly. It manufactured in Geely's purpose-built world-class factory, which employs international-standard quality control and highly qualified suppliers.

The company believes this model encapsulates the Geely brand principle of being "dynamic and refined, confident and inspiring".

According to Geely, the company sold 1,000 limited edition GC9s in 77 minutes on March 16, through China's three major online e-commerce platforms, Tmall.com, suning.com and JD.com, and an auto service website 5dcar.com.

The company said it aims to sell more than 20,000 units of the GC9 this year.

Founded in 1986, Hangzhou-headquartered Zhengjiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd is one of China's fastest growing auto manufacturers, as well as the industry's leading privately held group.

It is a fully integrated independent auto manufacturer producing cars, motorcycles, engines and transmissions.

Its associated companies have established operations that span the automotive value chain, from research, development and design to production, sales and servicing.

It sells passenger cars under the Geely and Volvo marques.

duxiaoying1@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/23/2015 page19)