Zeekr Launches Luxury SUV to Compete with Foreign Brands in China
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Zeekr Intelligent Technology, a premium brand under Geely Auto, is preparing to launch a luxury SUV model next month, targeting high-end consumers and aiming to challenge established brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
The Hangzhou-based company announced that the Zeekr 9X Grand SUV will be priced around 1 million yuan (US$137,840). The vehicle will be Zeekr’s first plug-in hybrid model since its establishment four years ago. Further details about the new car will be revealed at the time of its launch. The 9X Grand is positioned as the super-luxury version within the 9X series, with other variants also scheduled for debut next month.
“It will have an engine, but the driving performance is much better than plug-in hybrid EVs,” a Zeekr representative stated. The company anticipates that deliveries of the new SUV will begin in the third quarter of this year.
Zeekr is entering a competitive landscape in the mainland Chinese market, where luxury EVs are being offered by the likes of BYD, Nio, and Xiaomi. Traditional petrol-powered vehicles from brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz are losing ground in China, the world’s largest automotive market, as consumers increasingly embrace electric alternatives.
At present, most EVs in China are priced below 300,000 yuan, having largely replaced internal-combustion engine cars due to their high-performance batteries, advanced self-driving technologies, and modern digital cockpits, appealing to the evolving demands of Chinese consumers.
