Geely Holding Taps Google for In-Car AI and Apps Starting in Late 2027

Geely Holding Group is widening its technology alliance with Google, confirming a global strategic pact that will plant Google’s automotive software stack inside a broader set of its export vehicles. The first model to carry the package is slated to reach showrooms in the second half of 2027, though the group is quick to note that timing hinges on engineering milestones, local homologation rules and how quickly individual markets are ready to absorb the rollout.

The centerpiece of the deal is a suite of Google Automotive Services running natively on the dashboard. That means the Gemini AI assistant for conversational voice commands, Google Maps for navigation and Google Play for third-party in-car downloads will all come pre-installed on qualifying vehicles. By bundling voice control, routing and app access into a single connected layer, Geely Holding aims to mirror the everyday digital behavior of drivers in export markets rather than asking them to learn a bespoke interface.

The geographic scope is deliberately narrow in one respect: the agreement is aimed at overseas territories where Google’s services are licensed, and the company has indicated the first launch will steer clear of both China and the United States. The brand map is considerably broader, spanning Geely, Lynk & Co, Proton, Riddara and Smart. Specific models and country-by-country availability will be disclosed as the program moves forward, the group said.

The arrangement is less a fresh start than an expansion of an existing relationship. Polestar, one of the group’s affiliates, has shipped cars with Google services built in since 2020, giving the conglomerate years of experience integrating the platform. Geely Holding CTO Shen Yuan framed the move around shifting consumer expectations, arguing that buyers now want the cabin to deliver the same ease they get from their phones and tablets. Google’s Android for Cars product director Haris Ramic described the tie-up as putting apps, mapping and a personalized assistant within reach straight from the dashboard.

The announcement lands amid an aggressive export push. Geely Auto lifted its 2026 overseas target in August from 640,000 units to 920,000, with a stated ambition of hitting one million foreign sales. At the holding level, executives have set a goal of 6.5 million annual global deliveries by 2030, with more than one-third coming from outside China — a strategy that includes the main Geely brand’s recent move into Canada with plans for a 2027 debut. Embedding Google’s ecosystem is a clear bid to make those vehicles feel familiar to buyers in markets where the company is still building recognition.