China's EV Maker Zeekr Opens For Pre-Orders, Launches Two Luxury Cars In Sweden And Netherlands

China¡¯s EV maker Zeekr, Geely automobile¡¯s electric brand, announced on Wednesday that two of its all-electric luxury cars are open for pre-orders in Netherlands and Sweden now. This announcement means that the Zeekr launches will be joining a growing number of Chinese EVs launching in Europe.

Zeekr Opens Pre-Orders For Luxury EVs In Sweden & Netherlands

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This autumn, deliveries for the Zeekr 001 estate and the Zeekr X SUV are set to commence according to the company¡¯s statement. Pricing for the Zeekr 001 starts at 59,490 euros ($64,952) including taxes while the price for the Zeekr X SUV starts at 44,990 euros ($49,121).

Spiros Fotinos, the head of Zeekr's Europe business, said at a launch event in Gothenburg that the two countries Sweden and Netherlands were well advanced in the sales of electric vehicles which allowed the company to open their eyes and learn from customers before trying other European countries.

Zeekr Is Set Launch Its EVs In More European Countries

By 2024, Zeekr hopes to launch its EVs in Denmark, Germany, France, and Norway.

Fotinos told Reuters, ¡°Our plan is that through 2026 we will cover the majority of Western Europe.¡± He added, ¡°We have several other models in the pipeline that you will see over the coming years and the aim, of course, is for us to be present in important segments in the European market.¡±

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Many other Chinese EV makers have also launched their products in European countries like BYD, Xpeng, and Aiways. These companies are seeking to monopolise the market share while many customers are still new to electric vehicles.

At this time, European carmakers are facing a dual threat. They are facing a threat from the prospect of falling sales of their own vehicles in China, as local EV makers take charge in the market. While back at home European carmakers are facing a threat from rising sales of imported Chinese EVs that are made by Chinese or Western carmakers.

The Company Will Also Open Flagship Stores By The End Of This Year

Fotinos also mentioned that Zeekr is all set to open the flagship stores in Stockholm and Amsterdam by the end of this year. However, the company is focused on pursuing online sales rather than building out networks of dealers.

Fotinos recounted how there has been inefficiency in the traditional dealership system of selling cars, ¡°There has been a lot of inherent inefficiency in the traditional distribution system and I think everyone is trying to squeeze that inefficiency out because costs are increasing.¡±