Chinese automaker Geely Auto is reportedly preparing to re-enter the Singapore market after exiting in 2010.

The company is holding discussions with several automotive distributors and retailers to appoint a local agent. According to a report by a local daily, Geely has set sales targets comparable to those of BYD, along with investment requirements for facilities such as showrooms and service centres.

Geely first entered Singapore in 2006, appointing Peter Kwee's Group Exklusiv as its local agent. However, the brand recorded relatively low sales during its initial presence in the market and eventually withdrew as rising Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums affected demand for budget cars.

According to Land Transport Authority data, Geely's registrations peaked in 2007 before declining in 2010. The company has not registered any vehicles through an authorised dealer since its exit. However, Geely vehicles reappeared in Singapore in 2025 and 2026 through parallel imports.

If the planned return proceeds, Geely Auto will compete with BYD in Singapore's automotive market. BYD's sales in the country increased by 337% in 2024, allowing it to overtake Toyota as Singapore's best-selling automotive brand. It retained this position in 2025, becoming the country's best-selling automaker for the second consecutive year.

The two companies also compete in their domestic market of China. BYD ranks first among automotive brands in the country, while Geely Auto ranks second. In September, BYD recorded the highest automotive sales in China, followed by Geely, according to an automotive news outlet.

Several Chinese automotive brands have entered the Singapore market in recent years, supported by electric vehicle (EV) incentives and the pricing of Chinese models. Most major brands from China's largest automotive groups are now represented in the country. These include several brands belonging to the wider Geely Group, although Geely Auto itself has yet to establish an authorised local presence.

Geely Auto's portfolio includes battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, conventional petrol-electric hybrids and petrol-powered models. Its potential return would therefore cover multiple powertrain segments, depending on the models selected for the Singapore market.

The reported expansion plans form part of Geely's international strategy, as Chinese automakers seek to increase exports amid declining domestic sales. According to media reports, Geely entered seven European markets in 2026 and plans to expand into Canada in 2027.