Zeekr Targets Luxury SUV Market with High-End Hybrid
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Zeekr Intelligent Technology, a subsidiary of Geely Auto, is poised to enter the luxury SUV market with its upcoming 9X Grand hybrid model, aiming to attract affluent consumers currently favoring brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
Zeekr, Chinese carmaker Geely’s premium EV brand, will launch a luxury SUV priced at 1 million yuan. Photo: Reuters
Geely Auto, the second-largest carmaker in mainland China by sales, announced that the Zeekr 9X Grand SUV is expected to be priced around 1 million yuan (US$137,840). The vehicle is scheduled for unveiling next month, with further details about the plug-in hybrid model, the first of its kind from Zeekr since its establishment four years ago, to be released at the launch event. The 9X Grand will be the top-tier version within the 9X series, with other variants also debuting next month.
The Zeekr 9X Grand SUV. Photo: Handout
“It will have an engine, but the driving performance is much better than plug-in hybrid EVs,” stated Zeekr. Deliveries are expected to commence in the third quarter of this year.
Zeekr will be competing with established luxury EV brands in the Chinese market, including BYD, Nio, and Xiaomi. As the world’s largest automotive market, China is witnessing a shift in consumer preferences, where petrol vehicles from the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz are becoming less appealing.
Currently, the majority of EVs in China are priced below 300,000 yuan. They have gained popularity, largely replacing traditional internal-combustion engine cars due to their advanced battery technology, preliminary self-driving features, and digital cockpits.
