Forty years ago today, China kicked off its economic reforms which laid the foundation for the country’s current development and progress.

It was thanks to the historic opportunities presented over the past forty years of reform that Geely was able to come into reality from an unthinkable dream, from small to large, from weak to strong, from a small village to all of China and now the world. Without the forty years of reform and opening up, private entrepreneurs would never have been able to enter the automotive industry, Geely would never have been able to exist.

Now on the forty anniversary of the reforms and opening up of China, one hundred outstanding contributors to the success of China today has been commended at The Great People’s Hall. Among them, Geely Holding Group Chairman Li Shufu has been recognized for his contribution and for being a pioneer in the automotive industry.

Throughout these forty years, many unforgettable moments have become turning points in Geely and China’s reform and opening up history. From young man starting his first business shooting photos on his bicycle to a technology-based global enterprise, from a nation of farmers to the world’s largest economy, step by step we have arrived to where we are today, and step by step will we advance towards the bright future.

Here’s some of the unforgettable moments in Geely’s history made possible from China’s 40 years of reform and opening up.

1982

A young Li Shufu took his first steps as an entrepreneur riding his bicycle, shooting portraits of locals and offering them for sale if they like it.

1989

The first Geely group enterprise was founded as a China’s first manufacturer of magnesium-aluminum decorative boards used in construction. The domestically produced products quickly dominated the market.

1994

Geely took its first step in mobility as a producer of the first producers of mopeds in China. The demand for the product become the spark igniting the motorcycle frenzy in China that lasted a decade.

1997

Geely enters the automotive industry as China’s first private automaker and starts learning to build cars. Geely first ever car was hand built by Li Shufu and Geely engineers as they studied how to manufacture cars.

1998

Geely Auto first mass produced car rolls off the factory line in Linhai, Taizhou breaking the monopoly of state-owned and foreign imports in the Chinese vehicle market.

2006

Geely signs an agreement with London Taxi to jointly produce the famous London Taxis in Shanghai.

2010

Geely acquires 100% ownership of Volvo Cars and related assets (including IP) becoming the first global automotive group from China.

2013

Geely establishes China Euro Vehicle Technology in Sweden to develop next generation vehicle architectures and other technologies for Geely Auto and Volvo Cars.

2016

Geely launches Lynk & Co, a global premium brand jointly owned by Geely Auto and Volvo Cars.

2017

Geely acquires a 49.9% stake in Malaysian national car maker PROTON and 51% stake in UK luxury sports brand Lotus. Geely Auto will assist in the revitalization of PROTON and Malaysia.

2018

PROTON launches their new X70 SUV based on Geely Auto’s best-selling refined cars era smart SUV Bo Yue.

Source: Geely Group

Editor :Rebecca Cai (WeChat:autochinarebecca)

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