The operations of the brands Zeekr and Lynk & Co in Brazil will undergo a change in management for the second time this year. Renault Geely Brazil will be responsible for the entire operational structure of these two Chinese brands in the national territory. This change occurs six months after the headquarters in China assumed direct control of the activities in March.
Although the transition is still in the process of being finalized, it already shows practical advances. Currently, some stages of operational processes, such as homologation, prototype testing, and validation of new models, are being carried out at the industrial complex located in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, where the group's factory is situated.
According to Autoesporte, there is an expectation that Ariel Montenegro, who currently holds the position of president of Renault Geely Brazil, will also be appointed to lead both brands.
Zeekr was introduced in Brazil in 2024, initially under the management of a dealership group, targeting the premium segment, competing with brands such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Founded by Geely in 2021, its objective was to challenge Tesla's growth in China. Zeekr shares development and platforms with Volvo, which has been part of the Chinese conglomerate since 2010, although the Swedish operation in Brazil maintains its independence.
Meanwhile, Lynk & Co emerged in 2016, offering more affordable vehicles built on the same Volvo bases. However, this brand has not yet had an official launch in the country; the Lynk & Co 01 model is undergoing tests in Brazil.
Renault Geely Brazil was established in November 2025, when Geely acquired a 26.4% stake in Renault's operations in the country. This agreement granted the Chinese company access to the factory in Paraná, where the EX2 and EX5 SUVs, as well as other Renault models using Chinese platforms, will be manufactured. The French company retains responsibility for the group's sales operation.
This is not the first collaboration between the two companies. In 2024, Renault and Geely formed a partnership in Horse, a company responsible for producing the engines used in the French brand's automobiles in São José dos Pinhais.
This Brazilian arrangement mirrors existing practices between the two companies in South Korea, where Geely holds a 34% stake in Renault's operation. It is from this scenario that the Renault Koleos was launched in Brazil at the beginning of this year, being produced in Busan and marketed in the Asian market as Geely Moujaro.
With the injection of Chinese capital, Renault intends to increase the production and competitiveness of the São José dos Pinhais unit. Currently, this factory produces models such as Kwid, Kardian, Duster, Oroch, Boreal, and Master, with an annual installed capacity of 380,000 vehicles, covering both passenger and commercial models.