Geely LC

Geely LC
Overview
Manufacturer Geely
Also called Gleagle Panda[1]
Geely Panda[2]
Geely-Gleagle Panda[3]
Production 2009–present
Body and chassis
Class Compact car
Body style 5-door hatchback
Related Tobe M'car[4]
Powertrain
Engine 1.3 litre 63kw gasoline[5]

The Geely LC, sold in its home market as the Geely Panda[6] or the Gleagle Panda is a Chinese hatchback launched in 2009. In 2010 the LC scored 45.3 in C-NCAP crash tests,[2] making it China's first[2] locally researched and developed compact car to be awarded a 5-star rating,[7] and it is subsequently the safest Chinese hatchback[2] as of 2011.[8] The LC was able to achieve the above despite a development process that relied more on computer simulations than actual crash tests.[9]

As of 2011, this car is popular among Chinese yuppies.[10]

Online sale

As of 22 December 2010,[11] popular Chinese e-commerce retailer Taobao Mall sells the LC online[12] although buyers must put down a 288 yuan deposit and visit a local dealership for a test drive prior to purchase.[1] The LCs on offer are not delivered to your door[13] and may differ from those available through more-traditional retail channels.[10]

First day online sales totalled near 500.[14]

Styling

An LC at the 2009 China High-Tech Fair in Shenzhen
The Gleagle Panda's panda-paw tail-lamps[9] can be clearly seen in this view

The LC's styling has been recognized for its exceptional exterior,[15] which manufacturer Geely says is "bionic"[2] and resembles a panda[15] but that some criticize for resembling the Toyota Aygo,[16] instead. Geely outsourced the design of the LC's exterior to another Chinese firm, CH-Auto.[9]

Overseas sale

While the car is sold in overseas markets, its name and the brand name it is sold under may change.

Indonesia

The LC is sold in Indonesia as a Geely Panda.[17]

New Zealand

The LC is sold in New Zealand as a Geely LC Hatch.[18]

Sri Lanka

A local company, Micro Cars, offers the LC in Sri Lanka.[19] It is domestically assembled from complete knock down kits.

South Africa

The LC is sold in South Africa.[20]

Taiwan

Main article: Tobe M'car

A rebadged, redesigned LC called the Tobe M’Car is sold in Taiwan by Yulon Motors,[21] which may also assemble it. The M'car uses the same body and interior as the LC but features improved performance[4] and locally designed components.[22]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 China's Geely opens online car store on Taobao reuters.com, Mon Dec 6, 2010 4:43am EST
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Five Star in Collision Test: Geely Panda Appraised as the safest Minicar in China". Geely International. 2010-01-09. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
  3. ↑ Geely Gleagle Panda (Geely LC) chinaautoweb.com
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Tobe M'car Make a Splash in Taibei". Geely International. 2010-01-12. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
  5. ↑ "THE ALL NEW LC HATCHBACK". Geely New Zealand. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
  6. ↑ Geely LC (Panda) Review auto-chinese.com 2010-4-12
  7. ↑ US Geely's growth: Appliances to autos in 13 years chinadaily.com.cn, 2010-05-04
  8. ↑ Auto Special: Safety test proves Geely has the right path to improved performance and competitiveness chinadaily.com.cn, 2011-01-14
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Shirouzu, Norihiko (Sep 18, 2012). "Special Report: China's car makers cut corners to success". reuters.com. Thompson Reuters. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 China's Geely eyes online car sales globaltimes.cn, September 12, 2010
  11. ↑ Geely opens first online store gasgoo.com, December 07, 2010
  12. ↑ China's Geely now selling cars online chinadaily.com.cn, 2010-12-07
  13. ↑ Geely nets online store chinadaily.com.cn, 2010-12-08
  14. ↑ Geely's selling cars online starts with a victory gasgoo.com, December 24, 2010
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Golden Award for Geely Panda Design Geely Official site, late 2008
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ Out Products: Panda; Gallery Gelly Indonesia Official Site
  18. ↑ Geely New Zealand LC Hatch ; Gallery Geely New Zealand Official Site
  19. ↑ Handing over 1st Batch of PANDAs to customers microcars.lk, Saturday, 28th February, 2011
  20. ↑ "LC". Geely South Africa. 2011. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  21. ↑ Yulon's Tobe car unable to drive in reverse chinapost.com.tw, Saturday, August 7, 2010 1:45 am TWN
  22. ↑ Yulon introduces new Tobe brand vehicle taipeitimes.com, Wed, Nov 18, 2009

External links