Geely Ships First Chinese-Made EVs to Canada Under New Tariff Framework

Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) are on their way to Canada, with Geely becoming the first Chinese automaker to officially ship vehicles to the country under Ottawa’s new reduced-tariff import framework.

The automaker confirmed this week that 18 Lotus Eletre electric SUVs have departed from Wuhan, China on May 6 and are headed to Canada. The shipment marks the first known batch of Chinese-built EVs entering the country under the federal government’s revised trade agreement, which now allows up to 49,000 Chinese-made EVs into Canada annually at a reduced 6.1% tariff rate.

While the number of vehicles in this first shipment is relatively small, it is just the beginning of a much larger wave of Chinese EVs entering the Canadian market over the next year.

The Lotus Eletre is Geely’s ultra-premium electric crossover, carrying a starting price of around C$119,900. Although it targets a niche luxury segment, Geely’s move is significant because it establishes the company as the first Chinese automaker to take advantage of the new import framework.

Lotus was also widely expected to be among the first Chinese automakers to begin importing vehicles into Canada under the revised tariff rules. Unlike many other Chinese EV brands still laying the groundwork for a Canadian launch, Lotus already has an established retail and service presence in the country, giving it a major head start. The automaker currently operates six dealerships across Canada and plans to double that footprint within the next year as it prepares for broader expansion.

However, Geely’s arrival may quickly be overshadowed by Tesla, which has already started assigning VINs linked to Giga Shanghai-built Model 3 vehicles destined for Canadian customers. Tesla’s newly launched Model 3 lineup starts at just $39,490, its lowest price ever offered in Canada, or North America.

Beyond Lotus and Tesla, several other Chinese automakers are positioning themselves for entry into Canada. As we previously reported, Geely has already started building a Canadian presence beyond Lotus. Job postings and early operational groundwork suggest the company is preparing for a broader expansion that could eventually include brands like Geely Auto and Zeekr.

Chery is also preparing to enter Canada, with test vehicles already on Canadian soil, while XPeng and its EVs are viewed as strong candidates for the Canadian market thanks to their competitive pricing and advanced technology features.

With all of this work happening behind the scenes, it is no longer a question of if, but when, Canadians will have a wide range of Chinese-made EVs to choose from.