Chinese premium electric vehicle brand Zeekr, a subsidiary of Geely Automobile, has officially entered the South Korean market by opening its first brand gallery in Gangnam's Daechi-dong. Following BYD's entry, Zeekr's arrival marks a rapid expansion of Chinese automotive brands in South Korea.
On May 8, Zeekr Korea announced the opening of its gallery, which will operate until the end of the month to introduce the brand to local consumers. The gallery will later transition into a regular showroom, with plans to establish a total of 14 showrooms nationwide.
Launched in April 2021, Zeekr is part of the Geely Holding Group and has global R&D centers in Sweden, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, along with design centers in Sweden and China.
The brand's entry into South Korea follows the establishment of its local subsidiary in February 2022, led by former Audi Korea President Im Hyun-ki. The first model to be sold in South Korea will be the mid-size SUV '7X,' set for release in the second half of this year.
The 7X, a five-seater family SUV unveiled in 2024, has gained popularity, surpassing 400,000 global sales within 37 days of its launch. This success influenced Zeekr's decision to introduce the 7X as its initial model in South Korea.
Currently, the gallery features only four models: the large SUV '9X,' the premium MPV 'MIX,' the all-electric MPV '009 Grand,' and the sedan shooting brake '001 FR.' The 7X is expected to be displayed after its official launch. The 9X is a hybrid, while the others are all-electric, all equipped with Level 2 autonomous driving technology.
Since its launch in October 2022, the 9X has sold approximately 50,000 to 60,000 units globally, gaining attention in markets including China, Saudi Arabia, and Central Asia.
Zeekr Korea's marketing manager stated, "The 9X uses a world-first super electric hybrid drive system, allowing for battery charging of up to 80% while driving." He noted that one in three SUVs sold in China is a 9X, with about 10,000 units sold monthly in the country.
Zeekr Korea plans to expand its lineup with various models following the 7X. The manager emphasized, "While these cars are not yet available in South Korea, we will strive to bring what consumers want."
The influx of Chinese automotive brands in South Korea is expected to accelerate. BYD, which entered the market with the electric SUV 'Atto 3' in January 2022, ranked fourth in cumulative sales among imported car brands by March this year.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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