► Zeekr confirms European launch plans
► Arrives in Scandinavia in late 2023
► UK launch likely from 2024 onwards
Chinese EV start-up Zeekr has confirmed plans to launch in Europe later this year, with the UK likely to follow by mid-decade as the company plans to complete its roll-out across the continent.
Best electric cars
Zeekr is another nascent spin-off brand from the Geely group and was founded as recently as 2021. Surprise, surprise, its launch vehicles rely heavily on the group’s electric car hardware, bringing the economy of scales necessary to make the brand viable.
The first model ranges have been engineered around Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) – the same platform that also underpins the Smart #1 electric crossover. Geely also owns Volvo, Polestar, Lynk & Co and Lotus, among other brands.
Zeekr electric cars: a quick guide to the model range
A simple choice of two Zeekr models will be launched in Europe from autumn 2023:
- Zeekr 001 A luxury shooting brake
- Zeekr X (below) An urban SUV
The company announced that it would launch in Sweden and the Netherlands in the fourth quarter of 2023. Its Euro HQ will be based in Amsterdam, while its technical base is in Gothenburg, alongside the Volvo/Polestar/Lynk & Co facility on Sweden’s south coast.
Don’t expect a formal dealer network: the brand is cutting out the middleman with what it calls ‘a direct-to-customer business model’ that relies on digital touchpoints and central fulfilment centres.
When can I buy a Zeekr EV in the UK?
The brand has not yet confirmed right-hand drive sales for British customers. Zeekr is analysing the market potential and a decision will be announced soon. A spokesman told CAR magazine: ‘Nothing concrete on the UK, yet. But Zeekr is planning to cover all of western Europe by 2026.’
Zeekr CEO Andy An said: ‘It’s been just two years since we revealed our first state-of-the-art electric vehicle – the Zeekr 001 [above]. The response from customers to our brand has been incredible with over 93,000 units sold already. After the last round of A-Series funding, which raised $750 million, Zeekr was valued at $13 billion, and building on that success, we are excited to launch our brand in Europe as a key step in our global strategy.’
The company might be small today, but it is aiming for 650,000 annual sales by mid-decade – fuelled by an eight-model line-up and sales expanding to include Europe and, by 2024, the United States.
That’s some step up from the 93,000 vehicles sold in its first two years. But with the might of Geely behind it, who’d bet against Zeekr?