Geely Just Sneaked Into Canada Through the Back Door
Geely Group became the first Chinese automaker to deliver EVs to Canada under the brand name Lotus.
18 units of the Lotus Eletre, a $120,000 electric SUV built in Wuhan, China, just rolled off a ship and headed for Canadian dealerships. It is going to be the first confirmed Chinese EV in Canada under the country’s new trade deal with Beijing.
Lotus is a subsidiary of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, one of China’s largest automakers. They sold over 3 million vehicles globally in 2025. They’re massive, and they’ve been operating in Western markets for years through brands you already know and trust: Volvo, Polestar, and now Lotus.
Geely bought Volvo from Ford back in 2010 for $1.8 billion at a time when nobody thought it was a smart move. Today, that deal looks like one of the shrewdest acquisitions in automotive history. They own nearly 79% of Volvo Cars. They have a 51% controlling stake in Lotus. And they maintain major influence over Polestar. While BYD is still trying to knock on the door of North America, Geely has had a spare key for years.
Canada and China haven’t always been friendly on trade. As recently as late 2024, Canada had a punishing 100% surtax on Chinese-made EVs, the same tariff the U.S. still has today. Then things shifted.
Under Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canada struck a new trade framework with Beijing in January 2026. The deal agreed on a quota system allowing up to 49,000 Chinese-built EVs into Canada per year at a much lower 6.1% tariff rate. The first tranche of 24,500 permits covers March through August 2026, with another 24,500 running from September 2026 through February 2027. By 2030, the annual quota rises to 70,000 units.
The recently shipped 18 units of the all-electric Eletre SUV have already passed Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. They’re now on their way to Lotus Canada’s six-dealer network.
On the Chinese social media platform Weibo, Lotus called the shipment a record for Chinese electric vehicle exports to Canada. At Auto China 2026 in Beijing, Lotus Technology formally confirmed the Canadian launch, pricing the Eletre starting from CAD $119,900.
The Lotus Eletre is a five-door, all-electric crossover that weighs over 5,655 pounds. It delivers 603 horsepower in its base form and a wild 905 horsepower in the Eletre R variant. WLTP range is about 373 miles, and it supports 350 kW DC fast charging. Add air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and active roll control, and Canadians got a car that justifies the nearly six-figure price tag. Geely walked into Canada with a proper luxury product.
Here’s what makes this move so clever. The Eletre carries a British badge, a British heritage, and a price point that screams premium luxury. Nobody is out there protesting the “Chinese invasion” when the car arriving is a $120,000 Lotus.
The Eletre shipment is just the opening move. Geely has bigger ambitions for Canada, and they’re not hiding it anymore.
Zeekr International — Geely’s overseas arm for its premium electric brand posted six senior leadership roles in Toronto in late April 2026. All on-site positions. All in the Toronto area. And critically, all the job listings reference the “Geely Auto Brand,” not Zeekr.
Geely’s CEO has also confirmed Canadian market entry, pointing to eventual local production somewhere down the line.
Geely isn’t the only Chinese automaker moving into Canada. BYD and Chery are both confirmed to be targeting entry into the Canadian market by the end of 2026. BYD has already registered its manufacturing plants with Transport Canada’s preclearance registry.
Chery moved too. Units of its Omoda & Jaecoo sub-brand have already been spotted parked in Toronto, suggesting the first vehicles have arrived even ahead of an official launch.
What About the United States?
Right now, the U.S. is a different story. Washington still has its 100% tariff on Chinese-made EVs with no sign of backing down. But Geely already has boots on the ground in America.
Geely’s Volvo subsidiary operates a manufacturing plant in Charleston, South Carolina. The facility can build up to 150,000 vehicles per year and is currently running well below that capacity.
Then there’s Zeekr’s relationship with Waymo. Waymo has been deploying Zeekr-based autonomous vans in San Francisco as part of its robotaxi operations. Zeekr vehicles are already driving American streets, just without a human driver. It’s another back-door entry, perfectly executed.
