(SeaPRwire) – MISANO, Italy, May 11, 2026 — Geely Auto Group marks a historic milestone in global motorsports by securing its first-ever victory with the all-new Geely Preface TCR at the FIA TCR WORLD TOUR held at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. The achievement was powered by Chinese driver Ma Qinghua.
In Race 2 at the prestigious Italian circuit, Ma Qinghua delivered Geely Auto’s inaugural win in commanding fashion. Starting from third on the grid, he quickly engaged in an intense battle for the lead. The decisive moment came on lap six when he executed a clean overtaking move to take control of the race. He managed his pace effectively against the chasing pack and crossed the chequered flag to secure a landmark victory for Geely Motorsport Group. The Chinese national flag was raised high, symbolizing a proud achievement for Chinese automotive brands and the nation on the international stage.
The all-new Geely Preface TCR, developed through extensive testing and collaboration by the global team, made an immediate impact during its debut weekend. Alongside Ma’s triumph, Kumho FIA TCR WORLD TOUR defending champion Yann Ehrlacher claimed a historic first podium finish for Geely, securing third place in the opening 15-lap Race 1. In Race 2, Thed Björk joined his teammate on the podium, highlighting the strong performance and competitive readiness of the new vehicle.
Geely has long embraced challenges, viewing the demanding landscape of international racing as a platform to refine both its people and technology. Earning strong championship points early in the season serves as a well-deserved reward for the dedicated project teams based in China and Europe. As the team prepares for the hotter and more rigorous circuits in Valencia, Paul Ricard, and Vila Real, Geely Auto Group will continue to advance the development of the Preface TCR. Through these high-stakes competitions, the brand aims to showcase its speed, engineering innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence, delivering thrilling performance and excitement to motorsports fans around the world.
About Geely Auto Group
Geely Auto Group is a leading global automotive company headquartered in Hangzhou, China. As part of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, it develops and manufactures passenger vehicles under the Geely, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr brands.
In 2025, Geely Auto achieved cumulative sales of 3,024,567 units, surpassing its annual target with a year-on-year growth of 39%. Sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) reached 1,687,767 units, reflecting a significant 90% increase compared to the previous year.
With a strong focus on technological innovation, electrification, and sustainable mobility, Geely Auto Group operates world-class R&D centers and manufacturing facilities across China, Europe, and other key international markets. The group is committed to delivering safe, high-quality, and intelligent vehicles powered by advanced technologies such as hybrid powertrains, full-electric architectures, smart connectivity, and autonomous driving systems.
As a truly global company, Geely Auto Group continues to expand its international footprint through strategic partnerships, localized operations, and industry-leading platforms. The group strives to create greener, smarter, and more accessible mobility solutions, driving forward the future of sustainable transportation.
Company: Geely Automobile Holdings (HangZhou) Co.Ltd
Contact Person: Geely Auto Group Media Relations Janet Chen
Email: media@geely.com
Website: global.geely.com
This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content.
Category: Top News, Daily News
SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.