The missing Lynk: can Geely's SUV crack Europe?

Cars will be serviced by Volvo franchises but definitely won’t be sold there. While it will be possible to buy Lynk & Co models outright, and for what we’re promised will be very competitive prices considering the generous standard equipment, the company is putting its faith behind a pioneering subscription system that will in effect offer flexible short-term leasing with minimal commitment, or, as Visser puts it, “like Spotify or Netflix for cars”. The ambition is for what will in effect be a monthly arrangement, enabling buyers to change cars when they need to. Visser says the ambition is for 70% of Lynk’s European sales to use this subscription model.

This means that Lynk & Co will not only own most of its fleet but will also manage it throughout its entire lifespan. Visser says the plan is to offer two or even three subscription “rounds” – cars going back to the company, getting reprepared and then being rented again as used models at a lower cost than newer versions – “like getting an iPhone 7 for less than an iPhone X”. The current thinking is that at the end of these rental cycles, cars will ultimately be scrapped rather than sold. That means one of the biggest problems for any new, unproven firm – that of managing residual values – will be outflanked, albeit by Lynk keeping significant costs on its own books.

Volvo and Lynk&Co plug-in hybrid tech to launch in 2018

Plans for a smartphone app that will allow other users access to the car, or make it possible for users to share ownership, will also make the subscription model more like car sharing than a conventional lease arrangement. Lynk is also bucking industry trends by planning to carry an inventory of each model rather than building them to order. The latter would result in major lead times given the distance to the Luqiao factory where the 01 is constructed. That means a stripped-out range and no options.

Visser says the plan is for just eight variants of the 01 in Europe – including colours – and only three prices. “All the cars will effectively be in stock,” says the company boss. “There will be no waiting; if you want one you can be driving it the same day.” There’s still time for things to change before the brand’s formal launch in Europe, but if Lynk can deliver its plans, it could have the disruptive influence to match its tech start-up ambition. 

Driving Lynk & Co's First Car

Chinese media events are not like European ones, with our only chance to drive the 01 being the unlikely environment of Geely’s Ningbo race circuit.

For a tall and not particularly athletic SUV, it coped well with the challenge, but it’s fair to say the definitive verdict will have to wait a while longer.

The 01’s quality impresses. Although some of the cabin materials feel cheap when inspected closely – including a fair amount of what looks like metal but is actually plastic – it all feels durable and well screwed together. Space is good, especially in the back, and standard equipment is generous: all versions will get a 10.2in touchscreen as well as digital instrument clusters.

Our test cars used a Chinese-made version of Volvo’s 2.0-litre Drive-E petrol turbo in 188bhp tune, an engine that won’t be coming to Europe. It pulled well and willingly but got loud when worked hard, and the six-speed torque converter auto of the front-drive version lacked willingness when asked to respond quickly.