Lynk & CO unveils 02, its first EV for Europe

LUCA CIFERRI

Lynk & CO said the 02 combines a sleek and striking exterior with an advanced digital cockpit and user-friendly interiors crafted from recycled materials.

MILAN — Lynk & CO has unveiled the 02, its first battery-electric car to be sold in Europe as it reorganizes its retail model in the region.

The 02 compact fastback joins the 01 plug-in hybrid compact SUV as the only two models sold in Europe by the near-premium Chinese brand, which is co-owned by Geely Group and its Volvo Cars subsidiary.

The 02, which has a 445-km (277-mile) WLTP range, was created in Lynk & CO’s global design studio in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The 4460-mm long, rear-wheel-drive EV uses Geely’s SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) underpinnings. It has a 66-kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery and can be recharged to 80 percent of capacity from 10 percent in 30 minutes with a 150-kilowatt charger.

The 02 is available for online sales, with prices starting at €35,495.

New retail model, more markets

With the 02, Lynk & CO is changing its retail organization in Europe to add sales in Volvo dealerships to complement its established online retail channels.

The brand began 01 sales with no dealers, offering only subscription plans over the internet. The distribution model was meant to be disruptive but failed to gain traction. Lynk & CO later added traditional vehicle sales over the internet, as well as direct sales to fleet customers.

In the first eight months, 01 sales in Europe fell 74 percent to 5,048, according to figures from market researcher Dataforce.

Starting with the 02, Lynk & CO will sell its new and used cars through select Volvo dealerships. This way, the company moves to a dual-distribution model: direct sales and a wholesale model for retail partners. As part of its direct sales operations.

Lynk & CO will continue to offer vehicles to buy, lease or subscribe to via online channels.

Lynk & CO International CEO Nicolas Lopez Appelgren said the 02’s launch gives the brand new momentum.

“We are expanding our business model, growing our product portfolio, and venturing into new markets,” he said in a statement on Oct. 11 as the 02 was unveiled in Milan.

Lynk & CO will extend its presence to 22 European markets from seven by the end of the year. Its current markets include Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Sweden.

Lynk will also keep its company-owned flagship, non-traditional stores in its retail reorganization.

The brand opened flagship stores in major European cities including Berlin, Paris, Stockholm, Madrid and Milan where it says customers and potential buyers can shop and socialize in what it calls an “immersive brand experience.”