Lynk & Co

History

Lynk and Co was launched on 20 October 2016 in Berlin as a joint venture between Geely Auto, Geely Holding, and Volvo Cars. The brand was conceived as a digital-first, direct-to-consumer automotive company targeting a younger, urban audience that values flexibility over traditional car ownership. Engineering and design are led by CEVT (China Euro Vehicle Technology) in Gothenburg, Sweden, on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) shared with the Volvo XC40.

The first model, the Lynk and Co 01 compact SUV, launched in China in 2017 and in Europe from 2019. The brand pioneered a subscription-based ownership model allowing customers to pay a monthly fee with the ability to cancel anytime. Traditional dealerships were replaced by direct-to-consumer online sales with fixed pricing, and collection packs replaced conventional trim levels. The car featured built-in 4G connectivity and an open API for third-party applications.

The subscription model struggled to gain traction in Europe. Lynk and Co temporarily withdrew the 01 from the European market in 2024 over cybersecurity compliance issues. By 2025 the company began phasing out the subscription model in favor of traditional retail distribution, with Volvo approved as its European distribution partner.

Innovations

Lynk and Co introduced the automotive industry's first comprehensive subscription ownership model, covering the car, insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance with a single monthly fee and no long-term commitment. This was paired with direct-to-consumer sales that eliminated traditional dealerships with fixed, no-haggle pricing.

The brand was also the first to offer an open API for third-party application developers, envisioning the car as a connected digital device. The CMA platform co-developed with Volvo ensured European safety and quality standards from day one, while city-center collection stores reimagined how customers interact with a car brand.