The boss of Geely Australia says the Chinese brand may consider a local chassis calibration and tuning program further down the track “if it’s the way we have to be”.
Geely Auto Australia CEO Lei Li says the company is open to investing in such a program should there be a need for it – which would see the Chinese brand follow in the footsteps of brands like Kia.
“At the moment, we are introducing the global platform, global design and global development product to the market, and of course they will [take into account] the different market, driving habits and adjustment on the chassis, systems and steering,” Mr Li told CarExpert.
“In the future, if it’s the way we have to be, we have to invest. I don’t think we have any issues to invest [further].”
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Several brands have employed local tuning efforts to varying degrees in recent times.
Kia Australia has experienced ongoing success with its ride and handling localisation program, which started in the early 2010s and has contributed to the development of more than 50 models. Sister brand Hyundai has undertaken local tuning to a varied degree over a similar period.
Mitsubishi has treated the latest Outlander to a local chassis tune following what the brand described as its most comprehensive product development program since it ceased car manufacturing in Australia in March 2008, and this calibration will also be used on models exported across the globe.
Fellow Chinese brand GWM has also announced its plans to better localise upcoming models, and has even become a permanent resident at the former General Motors proving ground in Lang Lang, where it will continue to conduct Australian chassis tuning for its entire model rangeunder the direction of ex-Holden engineering guru Rob Trubiani.
Beyond chassis tuning, many brands must conduct local calibration of assistance systems like traffic sign recognition and lane keeping features, given some of our unique signage and conditions.
Another Chinese brand, Chery, has also been quite open about its local tuning of driver assistance and safety systems off the back of customer and media feedback, and next on the agenda are powertrain, suspension, and steering.