Geely STARRAY EM-i Secures Dual Five-Star Global Safety Recognition
Geely Auto has announced a major milestone for its new-energy vehicle portfolio, confirming that its first global plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle, the Geely STARRAY EM-i—also marketed in certain regions as the Geely EX5 EM-i or Geely E5 EM-i—has achieved the highest possible five-star safety rating from both the Euro NCAP and the Australasian New Car Assessment Program on February 6. This accomplishment represents the second time a model from Geely’s latest generation of electrified vehicles has earned top safety honors from internationally respected assessment organizations, reinforcing the automaker’s strategic focus on delivering advanced safety engineering alongside electrification. The recognition highlights Geely’s sustained investment in structural integrity, intelligent driver-assistance technologies, and holistic occupant protection systems designed to meet the expectations of increasingly safety-conscious global consumers. By securing simultaneous validation in both European and Australasian regulatory environments, the STARRAY EM-i demonstrates Geely’s ambition to compete at the highest international standards rather than tailoring safety performance solely for domestic markets.
Significance of Euro NCAP and ANCAP Certification Standards
Euro NCAP and ANCAP are widely regarded as two of the most rigorous and transparent vehicle safety evaluation authorities in the world, with testing frameworks that continuously evolve to reflect real-world accident data, emerging mobility trends, and new technological risks. Their assessment protocols examine multiple dimensions of vehicle protection, including adult occupant safety, child occupant safeguarding, pedestrian and vulnerable road-user impact mitigation, and the effectiveness of active safety and crash-avoidance technologies. Vehicles must perform consistently well across all categories to achieve a five-star rating, making the designation a globally recognized benchmark for comprehensive automotive safety excellence. The STARRAY EM-i’s strong results across these demanding test scenarios confirm that its safety architecture is not limited to a single protective feature but instead reflects an integrated system-level design philosophy. For Geely, earning these certifications simultaneously strengthens brand credibility in mature automotive markets where independent safety ratings strongly influence purchasing decisions and regulatory acceptance.
Advanced Safety Architecture Built on the GEA Platform
At the core of the STARRAY EM-i’s performance is Geely’s Global Electrified Architecture platform, which has been engineered specifically for next-generation hybrid and electric vehicles rather than adapted from legacy internal-combustion frameworks. This dedicated foundation enables the integration of three native safety concepts—physical isolation, dedicated protection, and tiered structural layout—each contributing to improved crash resilience and risk containment. Independent isolated channels separate the fuel tank, battery system, and electrical pathways, preventing cross-system interference in the event of a collision and reducing the likelihood of secondary hazards such as fuel leakage or electrical short circuits. A carefully optimized 140-millimeter safety clearance further protects the fuel tank from deformation during front or rear impacts, exceeding the performance typically associated with non-native hybrid vehicle conversions. Together, these design principles illustrate how purpose-built electrified platforms can deliver measurable safety advantages compared with transitional engineering approaches.
Structural Reinforcement and Comprehensive Collision Protection
The STARRAY EM-i incorporates an extensive network of protective structural elements engineered to maintain cabin integrity and shield critical energy components during severe impacts. Six horizontal and four vertical protective frames combine with six full-coverage 360-degree collision-protection rings surrounding the fuel tank to create a continuous structural safety envelope. This configuration ensures uninterrupted load-path distribution, allowing crash forces to be absorbed and redirected away from vulnerable systems such as the battery pack and passenger compartment. Complementing this framework is a stepped underbody safety design paired with a high-strength anti-scratch beam positioned slightly below the battery enclosure, adding another defensive layer against road intrusion or debris impact. The broader platform also inherits Geely’s established safety engineering philosophy, including eight signature structural protection systems anchored by the well-known Cloverleaf Energy Dissipation concept, which is designed to channel and disperse collision energy efficiently throughout the vehicle body. Collectively, these measures contribute to predictable crash behavior and enhanced occupant survivability across a range of accident scenarios.
Intelligent Active Safety and L2-Level Driver Assistance Integration
Beyond passive crash protection, the STARRAY EM-i demonstrates strong performance in preventive safety through the integration of 14 Level-2 advanced driver-assistance features that continuously monitor the driving environment and intervene when potential hazards are detected. Key technologies include Automatic Emergency Braking capable of identifying vehicles, pedestrians, and other obstacles; Intelligent Cruise Control that maintains safe following distances and adapts to traffic flow; and Blind Spot Detection designed to reduce lane-change collision risk. Working together, these systems create a layered safety ecosystem that supports drivers in complex real-world conditions rather than relying on a single intervention mechanism. The coordination between sensing hardware, control algorithms, and vehicle dynamics reflects Geely’s broader transition toward software-defined mobility, where safety performance increasingly depends on real-time data processing and predictive analytics. Such capabilities are becoming essential for meeting evolving global safety regulations and consumer expectations as vehicles move progressively toward higher levels of automation.
Expanding Global Presence and Market Acceptance
By 2025, the STARRAY EM-i had already entered more than ten international markets spanning Europe, Oceania, Africa, and Southeast Asia, including Australia, Italy, Poland, South Africa, and Indonesia. This rapid geographic expansion demonstrates Geely’s confidence in the model’s ability to satisfy diverse regulatory requirements, infrastructure conditions, and consumer preferences. Overseas reception has reportedly been positive, with users highlighting the combination of electrified efficiency, advanced safety credentials, and competitive pricing as key strengths. Strong independent safety ratings often accelerate acceptance in new regions by reducing uncertainty among buyers unfamiliar with emerging automotive brands. For Geely, the model’s reception abroad represents an important step in transforming from a primarily domestic manufacturer into a globally recognized participant in the new-energy mobility transition.
Competitive Sales Performance in Key Regions
Commercial results further reinforce the STARRAY EM-i’s positioning within the fast-growing plug-in hybrid segment. In Australia, the vehicle ranked among the top-selling plug-in hybrid electric vehicles during November, signaling meaningful traction in a mature and highly competitive automotive market. Meanwhile, in Mexico, the model achieved a top-two ranking within its segment, underscoring its appeal in regions where electrification adoption is accelerating but price sensitivity remains significant. These outcomes suggest that Geely’s strategy of pairing strong safety performance with accessible electrified technology can resonate across varied economic and regulatory environments. Sustained momentum in such markets could play a pivotal role in scaling production volumes, improving cost efficiencies, and strengthening global distribution networks for future electrified models.
Reinforcing Geely’s Long-Term New Energy Strategy
The dual five-star safety recognition for the STARRAY EM-i serves as more than a single-model achievement; it reflects Geely Auto’s broader commitment to redefining safety standards within the new-energy vehicle era. As electrification reshapes vehicle architecture, energy storage, and propulsion systems, automakers must rethink traditional safety engineering principles to address emerging risks while maintaining affordability and usability. Geely’s investment in dedicated electrified platforms, integrated structural protection, and intelligent driver-assistance ecosystems illustrates a long-term strategy aimed at aligning technological innovation with real-world consumer trust. Achievements validated by globally respected safety authorities not only enhance brand reputation but also provide a foundation for regulatory approvals, partnership opportunities, and expanded international presence. With demand for safe, efficient, and technologically advanced electrified vehicles continuing to rise worldwide, the STARRAY EM-i’s recognition positions Geely to play an increasingly influential role in the competitive global transition toward sustainable mobility.
Source Link:https://global.geely.com/
