Lynk & Co 01: Used Car of the Year

Yesterday was the moment: the announcement of the Used Car of the Year. The winner is the Lynk & Co 01. I’ve known this for a while, as I’ve been on the jury for several years and had a vote in the selection. I was in the room during the Remarketing Event when the winner was announced. A silence fell the moment the name was spoken.

Maybe that wasn’t so surprising. Among the finalists were former winners like the Volvo XC40, the Toyota Yaris and Aygo, and the VW Polo. All models that any dealer would love to sell as a used car—unlike a semi-Swedish, partly Chinese copy of the Volvo XC40 with a slightly larger battery.

Not a fan

Geopolitically, I’m not a big fan of China, but I can speak from personal experience about how unique the Lynk & Co 01 actually is. In most automotive rankings, the brand’s chances of success are considered small. But if you base success on residual value and the market’s willingness to buy a used car from brand X or Y, then Lynk & Co is a real winner.

At our Experience Store in Doesburg, we’ve sold over 150 used Lynk & Co cars. I’ve personally sold dozens and had long conversations with customers about why they would or wouldn’t choose an unfamiliar Chinese brand with only two color options. One of the strongest arguments was the backing by Volvo. It reminded me of the past when we used to sell SsangYongs and told people there was a Mercedes-Benz engine in them to build trust. With Lynk & Co, the connection to Volvo inspires the same confidence.

The fact that the car is fully equipped and only comes in one version and two colors makes it easier for customers to choose. But it surprises me every day—both positively and negatively—that people are willing to spend between €25,000 and €32,000 on this car, without being bothered by the lack of brand experience. The brand is unknown, has no history, but because Volvo is behind it, it’s fully accepted. But what happens if you remove Volvo from the picture? What’s left? Does the brand then become an Aiways or Seres—brands whose used models are nearly impossible to sell?

A well-deserved winner

The Lynk & Co 01 being named Used Car of the Year is thanks to its fast turnover rate, online popularity, and long warranty. That also makes the brand attractive for independent car dealers. Still, I feel like we’re at the end of a wave. Now that Volvo dealers are officially becoming Lynk & Co dealers, the market will shift. The wild pioneer phase is over, and Lynk & Co is becoming a real brand. And that deserves some credit, too.