Geely Auto has tightened its grip on its electric pickup division, formally acquiring full ownership of Radar Auto for approximately US$32 million. The move transitions the brand from an incubated startup within the Geely Holding Group to a wholly-owned subsidiary integrated directly into Geely’s unified ‘China Star’ product planning unit.
While this consolidates global R&D and manufacturing, the immediate implication for the Australian market is the final burial of any lingering hopes for the current, car-based Riddara RD6.
For the past two years, local media speculation has been dominated by the potential arrival of the RD6. However, Geely Australia’s management has made it abundantly clear that the monocoque, lifestyle-oriented Riddara is not the “solution” for a market that demands heavy-duty 4×4 capability, high towing capacity, and genuine off-road capability.
According to recent local planning updates, Geely is instead taking a “slowly-but-surely” approach, preferring to develop a bespoke, rugged dual-cab 4×4 from the ground up rather than forcing a passenger-car architecture into a segment it isn’t designed to compete in.
The focus has firmly shifted to a next-generation pickup – likely arriving in 2028 – that will utilise Geely’s heavy-duty off-road architecture. This future model is expected to pivot exclusively to plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or extended-range hybrid power, potentially leveraging the high-output V6 hybrid technology recently developed by Horse Powertrain, Geely’s joint venture with Renault.
Geely Australia CEO Alex Gu has signalled that the brand is closely monitoring the reception of rival electrified offerings, such as the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha, to ensure its eventual market entrant is a genuine competitor rather than a compromised afterthought. By consolidating Radar into its core business, Geely is centralising the resources needed to deliver what it calls a “star” model for the Australian segment.
For now, the brand remains a “when, not if” proposition. Expect a dedicated 4×4 plug-in hybrid, not a rebadged electric lifestyle car.
