KUALA LUMPUR: Zeekr, a premium electric vehicle (EV) brand, sets itself apart from many Chinese manufacturers by being part of an established and solid group, with a variety of reputable brands, development and design centres in Europe.
Zeekr is specifically part of automotive giant Geely Holding Group, which also owns notable brands such as Volvo and Lotus. This helps position Zeekr as a premium player in the EV market.
"As a global market participant, Zeekr is not like other enterprises that only operate an export business. We have our design centres and R&D centre in Gothenburg, Sweden and sales and marketing office in Amsterdam, the Netherlands," said its vice president Mars Chen.
This global presence is complemented by strategic partnerships with leading technology firms like Yamaha, CATL and Qualcomm, underscoring Zeekr's commitment to cutting-edge technology, innovation and sustainability.
Currently, Zeekr offers six models: the premium Zeekr 001, a shoot brake model, and its high-performance variant, the Zeekr 001 FR; the luxury electric MPV Zeekr 009 and its four-seater variant, the Zeekr 009 Grand; the premium urban SUV Zeekr X; the premium electric sedan Zeekr 007; and the Zeekr 7X and MIX.
By the end of 2024, Zeekr plans to have delivered over 400,000 vehicles globally and will continue its expansion, launching at least two new models annually with a goal of eight by 2025.
These vehicles are designed to offer the ultimate travel experience, meeting the growing demand for sustainable mobility solutions.
Chen said Zeekr's customer base is diverse but united by a shared appreciation for tech-forward, environmentally conscious and luxurious vehicles.
Its customers, ranging from young professionals to families, seek more than just transportation. They want vehicles that align with their lifestyle, placing value on sustainability and advanced technology.
Zeekr's product design philosophy, centred on human well-being, ensures that every vehicle it offers combines elegance, warmth and dynamic performance, he said.
"Our product concept is redefining products in every segment and our design philosophy is striving for human well-being through design. So for me, every Zeekr product conveys the value of ultimate excitement, and all of our products are elegant, warm and dynamic.
"We strive to create an emotional connection through seamless technology integration, superior performance and striking design.
The brand's goal is to create an emotional connection with customers through superior driving experiences and seamless integration of technology.
Chen said Zeekr's unique selling proposition lies in its blend of advanced technology, luxury and performance, all at a competitive price point.
Zeekr offers fully electric vehicles that deliver superior driving dynamics, cutting-edge autonomous features and a luxury experience that competes with traditional premium brands.
Zeekr's rapid growth globally is fuelled by government support for EV.
Having launched its first two models, the 009 multi-purpose vehicle and X sports utility vehicle, in Malaysia recently, Zeekr is confident that the push for sustainable mobility here will help increase the brand's market share in the premium EV segment.
The 009, a fully electric MPV, reflects the brand's commitment to versatility and luxury.
As the demand for premium, high-quality family and business transport solutions grows globally, the 009 meets these needs by offering a blend of space, luxury and cutting-edge technology, Chen said.
The 009 introduction further cements Zeekr's strategy of offering diverse options for a wide range of customer needs in the ever-expanding EV market.
Zeekr has made significant strides in its global expansion, having launched its European strategy in April 2023.
The brand is already present in countries such as Sweden, the Netherlands and Thailand, with over 500 showrooms worldwide, including flagship Zeekr Centres in Stockholm and Amsterdam.
By the end of 2024, Zeekr plans to expand into eight European countries and over 45 global markets, including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Australia.
On May 10 this year, Zeekr took a major step toward becoming a global player by listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "ZK".
This milestone signifies Zeekr's readiness to accelerate its expansion and meet the increasing global demand for smart electric mobility.