The Chinese luxury electric vehicle manufacturer, Zeekr, is gearing up to expand its global presence by entering the Japanese market in the coming year. This move follows the success of BYD Co., the leading EV maker in China. Zeekr, a brand established by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. in 2021, has seen significant growth in its home market, with sales of 103,000 vehicles during the first seven months of the current year, marking an 89 percent increase from the same period last year.
The brand's two models, the multipurpose vehicle 009 and the sport utility vehicle X, are highly anticipated for their upcoming launch in Japan. While prices for these luxury electric vehicles have not yet been finalized for the Japanese market, in China, the lowest-priced 009 model starts at 439,000 yuan, and the X model begins at 179,000 yuan. Zeekr vehicles are known for their excellent acceleration, contributing to their popularity in their home market, where they sold over 2,000 vehicles in the fiscal year ending March 2023, according to data from the Japan Automobile Importers Association.
Zeekr's expansion into Japan will involve opening showrooms in key regions such as the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Kansai region. Moreover, the brand has already made headway in Southeast Asian markets like Thailand and Singapore, where right-hand-drive versions of the 009 and X models are currently available. With the growing global demand for electric vehicles and Zeekr's reputation for quality and performance, the brand aims to establish a strong presence in the competitive Japanese automotive market.