Lynk & Co's 01 SUV becomes world's fastest-selling car

9:45 am, November 30, 2017

LYNK & Co’s 01 SUV has become the world’s fastest-selling car after the company took 6,000 orders in just 137 seconds.

The connected and shareable mobility brand, owned by China-based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group but designed and engineered in Sweden, announced the start of sales just one year after the company’s birth.

With the three-day advance sales event selling out in just two minutes and 17 seconds, the Lynk & Co 01 has become the fastest-selling car in the world, ahead of the official volume sales start.

Alain Visser, senior vice-president of Lynk & Co, said: ‘We are immensely proud at the speed and scale of our launch. We promised to disrupt and shake things up, and now the journey really begins.

‘We announced the birth of Lynk & Co almost exactly one year ago. Now, just 12 months later, we start sales of our connected and shareable 01 SUV in record fashion. Whether you choose to join online or in store, we promise a unique and enjoyable experience.

‘Online, it couldn’t be more simple. We have replicated the in-store experience and simplicity of choice with our unique “explorator” carousel. Just stop on the car you like and subscribe online – it’s as simple as that, as Chinese customers have proven during our pre-sale event.’

Sales officially started on Tuesday, with some 150 brand boutiques and stores opening across China.

Lynk & Co has abandoned the traditional automotive concept of base models, entry points and options lists. Inspired by the worlds of fashion and technology, it has replaced trim levels and optional extras with a simple selection of fully equipped, one-price collections.

Prices for the first collections of the 01 have been announced for the Chinese market only, starting from RMB158,800 (circa £17,800), rising to RMB202,800 (circa £22,750).

The first collections of Chinese-spec 01 SUVs feature Volvo-derived petrol engines. When production for Europe starts, new electrified powertrains will feature as standard, with more technology and connectivity functions also added. Prices in Europe will be higher than those of the first generation of collections revealed in China.

A range of connected technologies will be on offer in the vehicles, from a sharing function with the world’s first in-car share button, to wireless charging and a dedicated Lynk & Co app store. Described as a ‘smartphone on wheels’, all models will come with a large central touchscreen and telematics systems that are always connected to the internet and the car’s own cloud.

MORE: Lynk & Co heads for UK – but ‘there won’t be a traditional dealer network’