Chinese automotive giant Geely partners with Birmingham uni

Chinese automotive group Geely and the University of Birmingham have signed an agreement to work together on a range of education and research projects.

Geely is one of China’s top vehicle manufacturers, with more than 120,00 employees and comprising of international brands including Geely Auto, Volvo Cars, Polestar, Lotus and London Electric Vehicle Company.

“We’re delighted to forge a partnership with Geely – one of the most dynamic automotive manufacturers and technology leaders in China and the world,” the University of Birmingham pro-vice chancellor professor Andy Schofield says, after signing the collaboration agreement with Zhejiang Geely Holding Limited.

“The University of Birmingham has strong industrial links aligned with our internationally recognised strengths in vehicle technology, and clean energy technology. This provides a great basis for our collaboration with Geely.

“We look forward to working closely on education and research collaborative programmes to help advance low carbon automotive technology and the development of an efficient, green and sustainable mobility ecosystem for our respective countries.”

Geely was founded in 1986 and started producing cars in 1997. The group had annual sales of over 2.4 million units last year and maintains its position as the best-selling Chinese automotive brand for passenger cars.

“Innovation and creativity have been an important factor for Geely’s success,” Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Limited professor Mei Wei says.

“As one of the largest automotive groups we employ over 20,000 staff in R&D and design, and have innovation and design centre in China, America, Asia, Europe and including the UK.”

Birmingham University head of department of mechanical engineering Duncan Shepherd says mechanical engineering at the university has a tradition of producing high quality graduates that go on to work in the automotive industry around the world.

“Our world-leading research in automotive engineering involves collaboration with many industrial partners in the automotive industry. We look forward to developing this partnership to develop educational programmes, new employment opportunities for our graduates and new research projects,” Shepherd says.