Lynk & Co Deliveries : 2017-25

The brand is jointly owned by the Zeekr Group and Geely Auto. It is marketed as a premium brand and now a wide range of models. 

It started in 2017 with the 01 small SUV, followed by a slightly larger saloon car in 2018 (03). A small coupe SUV arrived in 2019 (05) and in 2020, a compact SUV (06). 

Since then, larger cars were released and now eleven models are made. In 2024, two BEVs were released (Z10 & Z20). 

The chart shows that only in 2022 was there a drop in delivery volume. Considering the proliferation of models, the year on year increases are not outstanding. It isn't a company that has pushed exports like many other Chinese brands are doing. 

In 2024, it appears that exports may have been just over 3% of total deliveries. That will surely change as the local market isn't expected to grow by much, if at all. Future growth will be offshore.

Photo: Lynk & Co 01.

Porsche Global Deliveries : 2024-25

Volkswagen decided to sell Porsche shares to the public in 2022, Porsche reckoned its profit margins would be around 20%. Forecasts for 2025 were somewhat lower at between 5% and 7% but VW now expects its operating profit margin to fall to about 2% for 2025. This shows how quickly things can change. 

China was a profitable market for Porsche but recently it has become very competitive. Not only has volume slumped, so too profits as well. Add to that recent tariffs for cars going into the US. If that wasn't enough, electric cars are not selling as well as hoped and the new Macan is exclusively a BEV. A lot has changed since 2022. 

The chart immediately below shows regional deliveries. North America was flat and the Rest -1%, but Europe is down 14% and China -26%. The total is down 10%. In view of the above mentioned market conditions, understandable. 

Models: The new EV Macan is not helping as it should, with sales up just 2%. The older model petrol/diesel is still available and included in the data. It is still available in selected markets until sometime in 2026. A new PHEV model to replace it is expected in 2028. It will have a name change and be its own unique model.

The rest of the range is down in terms of volume. The Cayenne leads the way with a 21% drop and the 718 (Boxster/Cayman) range also down 21%. Electrified vehicles constituted 34% of the total. 22% were BEVs and 12% PHEVs. 

Managing a car company at this time is not easy. Decisions that allow for flexibility are essential. Who knows what's around the bend?

SAIC IM Sales : 2022-2025

IM Motors is an electric car joint venture between SAIC and Chinese technology companies Zhangjiang Hi-Tech and Alibaba Group. IM means "Intelligence in Motion". Its Chinese name is Zhiji Motors. I'll be calling it IM.

IM started delivering cars in late 2022 and has quickly established a range of four models with a fifth due on November 2025. The current models are the IM6 mid to large SUV, the IM5 mid to large sedan, MS7 large SUV and the L7 large sedan. The LS9 large SUV is the fifth model.

Customer reviews indicate performance, styling and features are strong points. Build and materials quality plus software glitches are at times criticised. Sales haven't been exceptional. Being a new brand trying to establish itself isn't easy with stiff competition.   

Distribution of IM cars is through either stand alone or MG dealerships. There are many premium electric brands from China as well as globally. Anyone in the market for such a vehicle is spoiled for choice. 

Deliveries in 2025 grew by 24%, slower than the previous two year, which could be expected. An export push is underway and how that goes will be very important for IM. 

Data source: SAIC. Photo source: IM.