Zeekr
Zeekr is a premium Chinese electric-vehicle brand and mobility business owned by Geely Automobile Holdings.
Last updated October 30, 2026
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Overview
Zeekr is a Chinese premium electric-vehicle brand established by Geely in March 2021. It was created to give Geely a dedicated global marque for battery-electric cars, positioned above the group’s more mass-market offerings and aimed at technology-focused customers who might otherwise consider Tesla, Nio and other premium electric-vehicle manufacturers. The name combines “ZE,” associated with zero and the beginning of new possibilities, “E,” referring to the evolving electric era, and “Kr,” the chemical symbol for krypton, a gas that glows when electrified. The brand’s vehicles are principally based on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture, or SEA, an electric-vehicle platform designed to support multiple body styles, wheelbases, battery configurations and software systems. Zeekr launched its first production model, the Zeekr 001, in April 2021. The car had originally been associated with sister brand Lynk & Co but was repositioned as Zeekr’s flagship shooting-brake-style electric vehicle. Customer deliveries began in October 2021, establishing the brand’s initial presence in China. In 2022, Zeekr reported deliveries of 71,941 units of the 001 across more than 330 Chinese cities. The portfolio subsequently broadened from the 001 to include the 009 luxury multi-purpose vehicle, the compact X sport-utility vehicle, the 007 sedan, the 7X and 9X sport-utility vehicles, and the Mix multi-purpose vehicle. The range emphasizes long driving range, high-voltage charging, digitally integrated cabins, advanced driver-assistance systems and premium interior design. Zeekr has also worked with battery supplier CATL on long-range Qilin battery technology and with Mobileye on autonomous-driving systems. Its technology and mobility activities extend beyond consumer cars: Zeekr developed an electric autonomous-ride-hailing vehicle with Waymo and operates Zeekr Power, a charging and energy-services network. Although China remains its main market, Zeekr began international expansion in Europe in 2023, opening its first European showroom in Stockholm and entering Sweden and the Netherlands. It later expanded into additional European markets and into Thailand, Israel and Australia, with further planned or announced market entries in South America and Asia. The brand maintains research and development operations in Ningbo, Hangzhou and Shanghai, as well as design and technology operations in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its European commercial headquarters were moved to Amsterdam. Zeekr raised external capital before its public-market debut, including a US$500 million financing round in 2021 and a further US$750 million round in 2023. It filed for a New York Stock Exchange initial public offering in 2024 and raised approximately US$441 million. In 2024 and 2025, Geely reorganized its automotive holdings. Zeekr acquired a controlling interest in Lynk & Co, turning Zeekr’s corporate entity into a broader holding structure commonly referred to as Zeekr Group. Geely Automobile subsequently agreed to acquire the remaining Zeekr shares it did not already own. The privatization was completed in December 2025, making Zeekr a wholly owned subsidiary of Geely Automobile Holdings while leaving Zeekr as an active consumer-facing vehicle brand.
History
Zeekr was created by Geely in March 2021 as a dedicated premium electric-vehicle marque. Its formation reflected the rapid growth of battery-electric mobility in China and Geely’s intention to compete directly with specialist EV companies such as Tesla and Nio. The brand was built around Geely’s SEA electric architecture, first presented in 2020, and was intended to combine long-range batteries, software-defined vehicle functions, connected services and upscale design. The first model was the Zeekr 001, launched in April 2021. It was a large electric shooting brake whose origins were connected with Lynk & Co, but Geely reassigned it to the new Zeekr brand. Deliveries started in October 2021. Zeekr’s early growth was supported by a US$500 million external funding round involving Intel Capital, CATL, Bilibili and other investors. In 2022 the company delivered 71,941 units of the 001 in China and expanded its charging subsidiary, Zeekr Power, to more than 110 cities and over 660 stations. The company pursued partnerships to strengthen both its battery and autonomous-driving capabilities. In late 2021, Geely and Waymo announced that Zeekr would develop an all-electric vehicle for Waymo One’s autonomous ride-hailing service. A vehicle incorporating Waymo technology was shown in Los Angeles in 2022. Zeekr also expanded its relationship with Mobileye, with the stated objective of developing consumer vehicles capable of highly automated driving. In 2022, it announced that it would be the first brand to use CATL’s Qilin long-range battery in global mass production, with the Zeekr 001 identified as an initial model. The model range expanded during 2022–2024. The 009 introduced a luxury electric MPV format, the X provided a smaller electric SUV, the 007 added a mid-size sedan, and the 7X and Mix broadened the SUV and multi-purpose-vehicle offerings. The company also developed the M-Vision concept on the SEA-M architecture as a platform for autonomous shuttles, robotaxis and logistics vehicles. Zeekr opened its first European showroom in Stockholm in 2023 and entered Sweden and the Netherlands before expanding into Denmark, Germany, France, Norway and other international markets. Its European technology and design activities remained centered in Gothenburg, while its commercial headquarters moved to Amsterdam. Zeekr’s corporate structure changed substantially in 2024 and 2025. Geely Holding transferred an 11.3% interest in Zeekr Intelligent Technology to Geely Automobile, increasing Geely Automobile’s holding to 62.8%. Zeekr then agreed to purchase stakes in Lynk & Co from Geely Automobile and Volvo Cars. The transactions gave Zeekr 51% ownership of Lynk & Co, while Geely Automobile retained the balance. In February 2025, Lynk & Co became a subsidiary brand of the broader Zeekr Group structure. The company also faced criticism over product-cycle management after the 2025 Zeekr 001 was introduced only months after the previous version. Customers argued that their newer vehicles had been rapidly superseded and that earlier Mobileye-based hardware could not be upgraded to the newer driving system. Zeekr’s chief executive publicly accepted that the release plan had not been communicated adequately. Separately, media reports raised questions about the classification and timing of some December 2024 sales in Xiamen, although the reported issue concerned registration and sales-record practices rather than a proven finding of fraud. Zeekr filed for a New York Stock Exchange IPO in 2024 and raised approximately US$441 million. In 2025, Geely Automobile announced plans to take Zeekr private. The merger was completed in December 2025, leaving Zeekr as a wholly owned Geely Automobile subsidiary. The customer-facing Zeekr brand remains active, while the corporate group also encompasses Lynk & Co.
- 2025
Lynk & Co becomes a Zeekr Group subsidiary
[1]Zeekr completes the acquisition of a controlling interest in Lynk & Co.
- 2025
500,000th vehicle produced
[1]The 500,000th Zeekr vehicle, a 009 Brilliant Edition, leaves production.
- 2025
Privatization completed
[1]Geely Automobile completes the acquisition of Zeekr’s remaining shares and takes the company private.
- 2024
New York Stock Exchange listing
[1]Zeekr raises approximately US$441 million through its IPO.
- 2023
European market entry
[1]Zeekr opens its first European showroom in Stockholm and enters Sweden and the Netherlands.
- 2022
First full-year delivery milestone
[1]Zeekr delivers 71,941 units of the 001 in China during 2022.
- 2021
Zeekr is established
[1]Geely establishes Zeekr in March as a premium battery-electric mobility brand.
- 2021
Zeekr 001 launches
[1]The 001 becomes Zeekr’s first production model, with customer deliveries beginning in October.
Products and positioning
Premium, technology-led electric mobility with an emphasis on performance, long range, intelligent driving and contemporary design.
Full-size battery-electric shooting brake · 2021
Zeekr 001
The 001 is Zeekr’s first production vehicle and its foundational flagship. It combines a long, low shooting-brake body with a battery-electric powertrain, a spacious liftback-style cabin and a technology-focused interior. The model has received successive battery, software, driver-assistance and styling updates. Its use of SEA architecture and compatibility with high-capacity CATL battery technology made it central to Zeekr’s early performance and range proposition.
Full-size battery-electric MPV · 2023
Zeekr 009
The 009 is a large premium electric multi-purpose vehicle aimed at executive, family and chauffeur-driven use. It emphasizes cabin space, high-end seating, comfort equipment and a substantial battery pack. The model extends Zeekr into a luxury people-mover segment in which interior experience and passenger comfort are as important as acceleration and range.
Compact battery-electric SUV · 2023
Zeekr X
The X is Zeekr’s compact electric SUV and one of its principal international models. It packages the brand’s connected-car features, modern cabin design and electric performance into a smaller urban-oriented format. The model supported Zeekr’s expansion into Europe and Thailand and was later scheduled to receive additional battery and interior options.
Mid-size battery-electric sedan · 2023
Zeekr 007
The 007 is a mid-size electric sedan positioned around digital design, strong acceleration, high-voltage charging and advanced driver assistance. It broadens Zeekr’s sedan offering beyond the larger 001 and targets customers seeking a premium technology-oriented saloon with a more conventional three-box form.
Mid-size battery-electric SUV · 2024
Zeekr 7X
The 7X is a mid-size electric SUV designed to combine family practicality with Zeekr’s premium positioning. Its planned upgrades include Nvidia Thor-based advanced driver-assistance hardware, 900-volt electrical technology and incremental cabin and exterior revisions.
Compact battery-electric MPV · 2024
Zeekr Mix
The Mix is a compact electric multi-purpose vehicle that uses a flexible cabin concept to offer more interior utility than a conventional hatchback or crossover. It extends Zeekr’s SEA-based product range toward urban family and multipurpose mobility applications.
Autonomous-mobility concept · 2021
Zeekr M-Vision
M-Vision is a concept based on the SEA-M architecture. It demonstrates an expansive interior, flexible seating, an open cabin layout and an electrical and electronic backbone intended to support autonomous driving and connected devices. The architecture was presented as adaptable to robotaxis, shuttles and logistics vehicles.
Battery-electric autonomous ride-hailing vehicle · 2022
Waymo autonomous vehicle
Zeekr developed an electric vehicle integrating Waymo’s autonomous-driving technology for the Waymo One ride-hailing service. The vehicle was publicly shown in Los Angeles in 2022 and represents Zeekr’s expansion from consumer vehicles into autonomous mobility platforms.
Controversies
2026
Recall of 92,658 Vehicles Over Hard-to-Identify and Operate Emergency Mechanical Door Release
In August 2026, Zhejiang Geely recalled 92,658 Zeekr 007 and X vehicles. The emergency mechanical door release is close in color to the interior, making it hard to identify and operate, and may affect escape and rescue when a severe collision causes the low-voltage system to fail; the company added warning labels and introduced an OTA strategy to lower the windows after an accident.
2026
Zeekr: China's largest-ever car recall campaign over emergency door handles
On August 21, 2026, eleven carmakers including Tesla and Xiaomi launched software updates and vehicle recalls in China in the country's largest-ever automotive recall campaign. The action addressed concerns that emergency mechanical door release handles may be difficult to locate or operate during emergencies. Tesla will recall 2.98 million imported and China-made Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles from September 25, with a remedy of warning labels and an OTA update that automatically lowers vehicle windows after a collision.
2024
Customer backlash over rapid Zeekr 001 model replacement
Owners protested after the 2025 Zeekr 001 appeared about six months after the preceding version. Complaints focused on accelerated obsolescence and the inability of some Mobileye-equipped vehicles to receive the newer intelligent-driving system. Zeekr’s chief executive acknowledged shortcomings in communication.
2024
Questions over reported Xiamen sales and registrations
Media reports identified a gap between vehicles counted in Zeekr’s reported December Xiamen sales, company or dealer-group insurance registrations and vehicles receiving license plates. The reports raised questions about sales timing and classification, but the supplied material does not establish a regulatory finding or proven misconduct.
2024
Frequent Short-Term Model Updates Spark Owner Protests and Disclosure Dispute
In August 2024, models including the Zeekr 001 were updated again within a short period, prompting dissatisfaction among existing owners over purchase information, upgrade benefits, and communication methods; some owners went to the headquarters to protest. The company explained changes in R&D and intelligent driving plans and provided information on related benefits. This entry records a product-update controversy and does not find that all model updates were unlawful.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025Transparent product-update plan
China
Zeekr publicly outlined planned updates for the remainder of 2025, including Golden Battery availability for the X and major electronic and powertrain upgrades for the 001 and 7X.
Outcome. Intended to improve transparency after criticism over rapid model-year changes.
- 2024International expansion
Denmark · Germany · France · Norway · Israel · Australia · Thailand
Zeekr expanded beyond its initial European markets and entered Thailand with the X, while announcing or preparing additional entries in other regions.
Outcome. Broadened Zeekr’s international distribution footprint.
- 2023European market launch
Sweden · Netherlands
Zeekr opened its first European showroom in Stockholm and entered Sweden and the Netherlands as the first steps in its European expansion.
Outcome. Established the brand’s initial European retail presence.
Brand decisions
2025
Complete privatization by Geely AutomobileM&ABackground
Geely sought to simplify ownership and integrate Zeekr more closely into its listed automotive subsidiary.
Action taken
Geely Automobile acquired all remaining Zeekr shares it did not already own.
Aftermath
Zeekr became a wholly owned subsidiary and was delisted.
2024
Acquire control of Lynk & CoM&ABackground
Geely reorganized its automotive portfolio to consolidate related brands under a more integrated structure.
Action taken
Zeekr acquired a 20% Lynk & Co stake from Geely Automobile and Volvo Cars’ 30% stake, giving Zeekr 51% ownership.
Aftermath
Lynk & Co became a subsidiary brand of Zeekr Group in February 2025.
Transaction consideration. RMB 3.6 billion for Geely Automobile’s 20% stake and RMB 5.4 billion for Volvo Cars’ 30% stake (Announced in 2024)
2022
Adopt CATL Qilin battery technologyStrategyBackground
Zeekr sought to differentiate its vehicles through greater range and faster, more capable electric-vehicle hardware.
Action taken
The company announced that the 001 would be the first model using CATL Qilin batteries in global mass production.
Aftermath
The partnership reinforced Zeekr’s long-range technology positioning.
2021
Launch the Zeekr 001 as the inaugural modelProduct launchBackground
Geely needed a flagship product to establish Zeekr as a separate premium electric-vehicle brand.
Action taken
Zeekr launched the 001 in April 2021 and began deliveries in October.
Aftermath
The 001 became the foundation of the brand’s early sales and identity.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Multiple automakers recall vehicles over emergency mechanical door handle identification issues[9]
Multiple automakers in China announced recalls of electric vehicles because the emergency mechanical door handles or their covers are hard to identify or operate in extreme situations such as a severe collision causing low-voltage system failure. Affected models include Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X, Xiaomi SU7, Zeekr 007 and Zeekr X, with Tesla involving about 2.976 million vehicles, Xiaomi about 390,000, Leapmotor about 371,000 and XPeng about 265,000. Remedies include adding warning labels, replacing improved handle covers, and over-the-air software adjustments to window or unlock control strategies after accidents.
Reported
Chinese automakers including Xiaomi, Xpeng, Zeekr and Lynk & Co recall vehicles over hidden emergency door releases[8]
Eleven automakers in China issued related recalls addressing the same hidden emergency door release problem, with nine manufacturers, including Tesla, agreeing to install warning labels helping occupants locate the releases. Xiaomi, Xpeng, and Geely-owned brands Zeekr and Lynk & Co. were among the other manufacturers issuing recalls; eight other automakers including Leapmotor, Chery, Dongfeng, BAIC BluePark and FAW filed recalls with China's market regulator on the same day. More than 4 million vehicles in total were affected across the full scope of the crackdown.
Reported
China's largest-ever car recall campaign over emergency door handles[7]
Eleven carmakers including Tesla and Xiaomi launched software updates and vehicle recalls in China on Aug 21, 2026, in the country's largest-ever automotive recall campaign, addressing concerns that emergency mechanical door release handles may be difficult to locate or operate during emergencies. Tesla will recall 2.98 million imported and China-made Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles from Sept 25, with a remedy of warning labels and an OTA update that automatically lowers vehicle windows after a collision.
Waymo rolls out custom AI chip for its robotaxis[10]
Alphabet's Waymo said it has built a custom ASIC chip, now in production in its latest robotaxi generation, to improve autonomous driving performance and diversify its chip supply beyond third-party suppliers such as Nvidia. The chip, made using TSMC's 5-nanometer process and capable of more than 1,000 TOPS, is being equipped in Waymo's robotaxi built with Zeekr.
Reported
Zeekr announces Zeekr 8X flagship PHEV SUV[11]
On January 5, 2026, Zeekr officially announced that its new SUV will be named Zeekr 8X, positioned as a high-performance flagship SUV, with an expected launch in the first half of 2026 and an estimated starting price of 430,000 yuan.
Reported
Zeekr and Mobileye announce autonomous-vehicle partnership[12]
Zeekr and Mobileye announced a partnership to develop a Zeekr vehicle with Level 4 autonomous-driving capabilities, with the article describing it as planned for 2024.
Reported
ZEEKR and RoboSense team up to explore vehicle LiDAR systems[13]
ZEEKR and LiDAR supplier RoboSense joined hands to explore intelligent LiDAR systems for vehicles. The companies said they aim to explore possibilities for ZEEKR's intelligent ADAS technologies and applications.
Reported
Tenneco CVSAe suspension technology announced for China debut in Zeekr 001[14]
Tenneco announced that its CVSAe electronic suspension technology would make its China debut in the Zeekr 001, which the article describes as the first vehicle made in China by a major automaker to use the technology.
Reported
Geely announces Zeekr electric-vehicle brand[15]
Geely announced Zeekr, a new electric-vehicle technology and solutions company and brand. The report says its first Zeekr-branded vehicle is planned for the third quarter of 2021.
Reported
Geely reportedly plans high-end electric vehicle brand Zeekr[16]
The report, citing three people familiar with the matter, said Geely was preparing a high-end electric vehicle brand called Zeekr. The plan had not been made public; the report describes a planned launch, not a completed launch.
Sources18 sources
- 1Zeekr - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- 2Zeekr official websitezeekrlife.com
- 3Zeekr Official Websitezeekrlife.com
- 4Frequent Short-Term Model Updates Spark Owner Protests and Disclosure Disputejiemian.com
- 5Frequent Short-Term Model Updates Spark Owner Protests and Disclosure Disputeyicai.com
- 6Recall of 92,658 Vehicles Over Hard-to-Identify and Operate Emergency Mechanical Door Releasesamr.gov.cn
- 7Zeekr: China's largest-ever car recall campaign over emergency door handlesthestar.com.my
- 8Zeekr: China's largest-ever car recall campaign over emergency door handlesibtimes.com.au
- 9Zeekr: China's largest-ever car recall campaign over emergency door handles163.com
- 10Waymo为其自动驾驶出租车推出自研AI芯片moneycontrol.com
- 11极氪公布旗舰插混SUV极氪8Xcarnewschina.com
- 12极氪与Mobileye宣布自动驾驶汽车合作autoevolution.com
- 13ZEEKR与RoboSense携手探索车载激光雷达系统autonews.gasgoo.com
- 14Tenneco CVSAe悬架技术宣布将在中国首次亮相prnasia.com
- 15吉利宣布推出电动车品牌Zeekrunwire.hk
- 16吉利传计划推出高端电动汽车品牌 Zeekrsputnikglobe.com
- 17對決特斯拉！大陸吉利傳推出高端電動汽車品牌Zeekr - 財經chinatimes.com
- 18英特尔和极氪官宣合作：将推出全球首款L4级自动驾驶汽车finance.sina.com.cn
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