Though Zeekr has only been around for a few years, it's already making waves. The brand has gained popularity and is pushing the limits of battery tech. Now, it's set its sights on new markets.
In Australia, Zeekr has set up a local branch and will use a franchise dealership model to sell its cars. The first model to hit Aussie roads will be the X SUV. It'll come in two flavors: a single-motor rear-wheel drive and a dual-motor all-wheel drive version.
The rear-wheel drive X packs a 66 kWh lithium-ion battery under the floor. It'll go 540 km (335 miles) on a single charge and can juice up from 10-80% in less than 30 minutes using 150 kW DC fast charging. With 200 kW (268 hp) of power and 343 Nm (253 lb-ft) of torque, it's no slouch. Best of all, it'll cost under AU$60,000 (~$40,000) before fees.
For those who want more oomph, the all-wheel drive X cranks out 315 kW (422 hp) and 543 Nm (400 lb-ft) of torque. It'll go 470 km (292 miles) on a charge and will sell for less than AU$70,000 (~$46,700).
Zeekr X
Zeekr Australia's managing director, Connal Yan, shared his thoughts:
"Zeekr's expansion into the Australian market brings our innovative and cutting-edge electric vehicles to a new audience, offering a unique driving experience that blends style, performance, and sustainability."
By the end of 2024, Aussies can also look forward to the 009, Zeekr's luxury MPV.
In Japan, Zeekr will roll out in 2025. The company is working to meet local safety rules and wants to open showrooms in Tokyo and Osaka. They plan to sell the X and 009 models there too, but haven't set prices yet.
Zeekr will face competition in Japan from BYD, another Chinese EV maker. BYD sold 1,446 cars in Japan in all of 2023, with a slight uptick to 207 cars sold in July 2024 alone.
It's still not clear how buyers in Australia and Japan will take to Zeekr's cars. But with its bold plans and cutting-edge tech, Zeekr is certainly revving up for an exciting ride in these new markets.
Source: Zeekr
