Automotive brand Lynk & Co has reported an overwhelming response to the launch of its new mobility membership in Europe.

Lynk & Co said it’s seen huge interest in its new ‘mobility membership’ and its 01 hybrid SUV

A joint venture between Geely Auto Group and Volvo Car Group, the carmaker hosted a live streamed reveal at the end of September to showcase its new membership-based mobility solution and reveal its forthcoming 01 hybrid SUV.

The reveal was viewed by 52,000 people in 123 countries and has been hailed by Lynk & Co as the most successful virtual brand launch in Europe.

The carmaker said the response reflected huge interest among Europeans, indicating that there’s an appetite for innovative, flexible mobility solutions.

Alain Visser, CEO of Lynk & Co, commented: “I’ve always believed that Europeans are hungry for more innovative mobility, but even I was surprised at just how enthusiastic the response was. It’s been incredible to see how excited people are about our mobility membership. There’s a lot of momentum, and we’re only picking up speed from here.”

The mobility membership centres around the premise of allowing members “to get as much car as they want”. For up to €500 (£453) per month, members can access a car on a month-to-month basis. Or drivers can sign up for free and only pay when they borrow a car from other members. Lynk & Co has developed a sharing platform that will let members manage bookings, share the car location, and send a digital key from their smartphones and in the car.

Members will also get invites to exclusive Club events, product offers and more. Rather than using a traditional dealer network, the carmaker will offer car purchase online or offline at one of its ‘Clubs’. These are not so much showrooms as a meeting point for customers. The first Club is opening in Amsterdam at the end of October and a second Club will open in Gothenburg before the end of the year.

At the event, Lynk & Co also revealed the 01, already on sale in China and its first model to be available to European customers. Based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), the same architecture underpinning the Volvo XC40, the SUV will be offered with full and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the latter offering up to 70km (43 mile) of pure electric range.

The 01 won’t offer options – it’s based on the concept that “everything extra comes standard” and the only choices customers will need to make are the colour (black or blue) and powertrain (PHEV or full hybrid). It will come with digital and connectivity features such as a large central touchscreen, online navigation, third-party apps, a social media camera, and its own cloud. Lynk & Co will be able to check the health of the cars, maintain features, solve issues over the air, and let members know when it’s time for their scheduled maintenance.

Speaking at the launch, Alain Visser said: “Customers today value products that reflect their digital and ever-changing lifestyle. We are Lynk & Co and our aim is to simplify ownership by innovating and redefining how cars are bought, owned, connected, serviced, and used. We exist to change mobility forever.”