Technology transfer in the Chinese automotive industry: the acquisition of Volvo Cars by Geely Automobile as a potential new role model for the Chinese car manufacturers

Abstract: The dramatic shifts that occurred to the Chinese economy in the recent decades led to the emergence of companies that have fulfilled the internal market needs and now try to compete on the global level. Among others, Chinese automotive industry is currently struggling to establish its products in the markets of developed countries; however, the results are modest due to low level of technological development. A few decades of booming joint ventures have failed to create strong brands, and recently a new model for technology transfer in the Chinese automotive industry was implemented by Geely Automobile encountering into the acquisition of Volvo Cars. This thesis studies whether the approach to international cooperation taken by Geely can prove successful in the current Chinese automotive market, and whether it can serve as a new role model for other Chinese automobile manufacturers.