Lynk & Co Expands into Europe. Is It Too Late?

If the monthly leasing scheme introduced by Lynk & Co is struggling to find its audience, the solution might be to look elsewhere.

Renting a Lynk & Co 01 without commitment, without a down payment, with an all-inclusive monthly package that covers maintenance and insurance is definitely very attractive. Sharing it to reduce costs further enhances the appeal of the model! That’s the bold concept of the Chinese manufacturer, which unfortunately does not work. Is it the car’s fault? It’s based on the Volvo XC40 platform, so it’s an excellent plug-in hybrid. The bodywork is quite distinctive but not unattractive, and the interior is original and well-finished. So, where is the problem? Started at 500 euros per month, the offer has since been significantly increased to 600 euros. And especially avoid making long-term plans; it’s only 12 months, no more. If you want 24 or 36 months, it will cost you a few euros less but you’ll need to pay a down payment. Simply put, at this rate, the Chinese model is not attractive compared to the rest of the market. Simple, basic.

End of the lone rider

In an effort to reboot its operations and expand its presence in Europe, Lynk & Co has decided to partner with SEEAG, a well-established leader in the automotive markets of Southeast Europe. In total, the Chinese manufacturer aims to enter 12 new European markets, ultimately expanding its presence to 19 countries.

SEEAG will act as importer and distributor, with Lynk & Co now primarily providing fleets of the 01. Given the feedback on Lynk & Co’s customer service in France, this might not be a bad idea, as expanding from 7 to 19 markets is no small feat for an average manufacturer.

Lynk & Co finally relies on professionals.

The brand is currently operational in Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy. Deployment will start in Greece and Romania before expanding to Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, and Moldova by the end of 2024.

It remains to be seen whether Lynk & Co will maintain its pricing, as the car is now over three years old and faces much sharper competition than when it first launched. Unless these markets serve as opportunities to sell off existing reconditioned models after their brief initial period…

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