The newly launched Geely E2 electric vehicle (EV) is experiencing massive demand in South Africa, completely selling out its initial allocation within just a few weeks. Officially hitting local dealership floors on 14 April 2026, the compact hatchback marks the second model introduced for the Chinese brand’s domestic return. Boasting the title of the country’s most affordable EV, it represents one of Geely’s first major rollouts outside of China. In its home market, where it is badged as the Galaxy Geome, the vehicle claimed the crown of the overall best-selling car in 2025.
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The E2 also played a crucial role in pushing Geely Auto’s global first-quarter sales for 2026 to a record 709,358 units. This performance narrowly edged out its primary Chinese rival, BYD, which posted 700,463 units in the same period. Both automotive giants are aggressively expanding their international footprints as domestic demand slows due to fierce local competition and saturated EV adoption rates.
In South Africa, the entry-level Geely E2 Aspire is priced at an enticing R339,900, while the higher-tier Apex trim sits at R389,900. Automotive critics have praised the vehicle for its exceptional value, noting its generous cabin space, a highly practical 325km WLTP driving range, and a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety technologies.
Industry sources familiar with Geely’s operations confirmed that the first batch of vehicles cleared out in less than a month. While the exact allocation number remains confidential, it was substantial enough to secure the E2 the second-place spot in local EV sales for April 2026. For context, the market-leading Dolphin Surf moved 302 units that month, while the previous runner-up, the Volvo EX30, recorded 24 sales. The E2’s figures sit much closer to the Surf’s dominant numbers. Late shoppers must now wait several weeks for the next shipment to land.
This reception coincides with South Africa breaking its monthly EV sales record twice in the last two months. March 2026 saw a record 389 units sold, fuelled by BYD reporting its local data for the first time since its 2023 arrival and contributing 316 sales. April 2026 surged even higher to 403 units—a figure that remarkably excludes Geely’s new sales.
Combined, the 792 electric vehicles sold over these two months account for over 70% of all local EV sales in 2025. BYD led the April statistics with 342 units, while Geely’s sister brand, Volvo, took second with 37 sales, followed by Changan with 16. Meanwhile, legacy leader BMW recorded just two sales as it prepares to launch its next-generation Neue Klasse models, including a radically updated iX3 slated to challenge the upcoming Volvo EX60.
