Chinese cars: Geely in Europe, the strategy

No longer just cars, but services. No longer possession, but access. This is the revolution with which Geely aims to conquer Europe, transforming the automotive industry into an integrated ecosystem of technology, skills and infrastructure. The roadshow “Geely Auto Talks” started a Naplesat the Salvatore Foundation, bringing together institutions, universities and large industrial entities to discuss the future of connected and sustainable mobility in Italy and Europe. The meeting, organized by Geely Auto together with Jameel Motors Italia, marked the start of a national tour dedicated to the “Technological Renaissance” ofautomotivewith a focus on innovation, training and new skills. At the center of the debate: growth in connected mobility, skills shortages and the need for a new dialogue between industry, training and institutions. Among the protagonists, the mayor of Naples Gaetano Manfredi And Marco Santuccidirector of Jameel Motors Italia for Geely and Zeekr, who reiterated the need to “build a bridge between industry, universities and institutions to train new talents”. The Neapolitan event, part of the path towards the America’s Cup 2027, showed how technologies such as artificial intelligence, smart infrastructures and shared mobility are already redefining models of transport, work and urban development.

1 From the car to the system: the revolution

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There is a name that emerges more and more often in the panorama automotive European: Geely. No longer just a manufacturer, but a group that aims to redesign mobility as an integrated system. The first step into the Old Continent dates back to 2010, with the acquisition of Volvo Cars: a strategic entry that paved the way for global and diversified growth. Since then the group has built a portfolio that covers every segment: Lotus for sportswomen, Polestar for electric, Lynk & Co for shared mobility, up to participations in Mercedes-Benz and Smart. The result is an industrial and technological network that goes beyond the traditional concept of the car. The message that emerged during the comparison is clear: the car is a component of a larger system that on its own no longer makes sense.

2 Mobility as a service: the new model

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“The transformation of the sector automotive it is technological, but also cultural and professional. The real challenge is to build the skills to make it concrete”, explained Santucci. This is where the paradigm of mobility as a service: shared fleets, subscriptions, digital platforms and a model based on usage instead of ownership. A 40,000 euro car becomes accessible if inserted into a shared system, while technology – from artificial intelligence to Adas systems – improves safety and efficiency. According to the study “Sustainable mobility and intelligent technologies for large events”, carried out by the Polytechnic of Milan with the University of Naples Federico II, the Italian transport market connected mobility it reached 3.36 billion euros, with a growth of 16% in 2024. However, a critical issue remains: the skills gap. 75% of companies struggle to find profiles specialized in AI, electrification, autonomous driving and sustainability.

3 Big events, technology and new professions

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The inaugural stage of the roadshow is part of the path towards the 2027 America’s Cup, transforming Naples into a laboratory of innovation. The integration between artificial intelligence, digital twin and smart infrastructures are already changing the management of urban mobility, especially in large events, where new professional figures emerge: transport coordinators, fleet supervisors and data and operations experts. “The presence of Mur it is essential for mapping new job opportunities and investing in training. Only through a collaborative ecosystem can we bridge the skills gap,” added Santucci mayor Manfredi underlined how mobility must become sustainable, accessible and integrated, highlighting the strategic role of public transport and the ecological transition to improve the quality of urban life.

4 Sport, education and urban transformation

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Major events such as the America’s Cup also represent an opportunity for urban regeneration. Interventions such as the redevelopment of Bagnoli they can leave a concrete legacy on the territory. The interventions highlighted the need to create a system between businesses, universities and institutions, but also to make sport more popular accessibleovercoming an elitist model and promoting inclusion and well-being. In this context, tools such as industrial doctorates become fundamental for connecting training and the world of work, creating opportunities for young people.

5 Technology, AI and security

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The change runs through the entire supply chain. From research to production to after-sales, artificial intelligence is transforming automotive. Today, Adas systems are able to intervene up to six times faster than in the past, anticipating risk situations with decisive seconds. The cars update remotely, communicate with the infrastructures and become real nodes of a network. An evolution that also opens up new challenges, in particular regarding data security and the management of increasingly complex systems.

6 Italy, between potential and delays

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Italy has all it takes to become a European mobility laboratory, but remains held back by a historic lack of coordination. Industry, universities and institutions often travel at different speeds. Without a common vision, the risk is losing competitiveness. The so-called “triangle” between education, industry and politics is decisive. The issue is also social: the country is ageing, youth and female employment remains below potential, while new professions are growing faster than the capacity to train them. On the mobility front, the quality of the Italian car fleet also remains central, among the oldest in Europe: an environmental and economic limit, which directly affects the quality of life and access to services.

7 Naples laboratory of the future

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In this scenario, Naples can play a key role. The America’s Cup is not just a sporting event, but an opportunity for urban and industrial transformation. From the redevelopment of Bagnoli to the valorisation of the sea as a mobility infrastructure, the city can become a model of integration between public transport, cars and maritime logistics. The challenge is to turn an event into a lasting legacy.

8 The ecosystem as key

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If there is one word that sums it all up it is “ecosystem”. Mobility today means energy, data, infrastructure, technology and training. Geely understood this: it doesn’t just build cars, but systems. It doesn’t just sell products, but access to mobility. The future is not determined by technology, but by choices and will depend on the ability to keep industry, people and cities together. A match in which Italy cannot afford to fall behind.