after BYD, Nio and Co.
Next China brand about to launch in Europe – Zeekr announces electric crossover
The 001 from Zeekr at the international auto show Auto Shanghai 2021. The young brand from China would like to establish its vehicle in Europe next year.
© VCG / Imago Images
BYD, Nio, Great Wall Motors – they are all entering the European and German market or are already there. In the near future, another Chinese car manufacturer, Zeekr, wants to follow suit.
Various car manufacturers from China are currently filling the European and German market with new vehicles. The young Chinese brand Zeekr, a company of the Geely car group, has now announced its expansion plans. This is reported by the international news agency Reuters.
Zeekr plans to launch its first electric car on the European market next year. This was announced by the company’s CEO, An Conghui on Tuesday. Accordingly, with the 001, a crossover is to come onto the local market.
The $41,000 model was released in China at the end of 2021 and is the first vehicle in Zeekr’s product portfolio. It should come to quite remarkable values: 544 hp, in 3.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and a maximum range of 732 kilometers. In addition, the all-wheel drive crossover is available with an 86 and a 100 kWh battery and is said to be able to reach a battery level of up to 80 percent within 30 minutes. 001 sold nearly 40,000 copies in its domestic market in the first nine months of its launch. Zeekr did not say how expensive the electric car should be in markets outside of China.
China brand Zeekr wants to serve global demand
According to Conghui, however, it is clear that the premium brand was founded in 2021 in order to meet the standards in Europe and the USA right from the start. Zeekr bills itself as a “new brand of electric mobility technology and solutions that meets the global demand for high-quality electric vehicles,” according to Geely’s website.
In addition to Zeekr, Volvo and Polestar also belong to the car group. He also holds shares in Mercedes-Benz and, together with Daimler, develops the Chinese-made Smart#1. Like the Zeekr 001, the electric SUV is based on the SEA platform. The 001 is to be followed by the 009, a large van – also based on the SEA platform. The range of electric cars “Made in China” will soon increase rapidly.
Sources: Reuters, Auto Motor and Sportpress information