Zeekr to Launch Premium Electric Vehicles in Japan in 2025
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Zeekr, a subsidiary of Geely, has announced plans to enter the Japanese market in 2025 with two premium EV models. According to Vice President Chen Yu, the company aims to establish showrooms in Tokyo and the Osaka region later this year to prepare for the official launch. This expansion follows Zeekr's recent entry into other right-hand-drive markets, including Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore, where it offers models like the Zeekr 009 van and the X crossover. The brand is aggressively pursuing global growth, targeting a presence in 50 countries and regions by the end of the year, up from its current 30, with further plans to enter South Korea in 2026. The move intensifies competition in Japan's EV sector, where rival BYD recently launched its Seal sedan at a significant markup compared to Chinese prices. BYD sold approximately 1,446 units of its Atto 3 and Dolphin models in Japan last year. Zeekr's strategy highlights the growing ambition of Chinese automakers to capture market share in developed Asian economies despite established local competitors and pricing challenges.
Wire timeline
Zeekr to Launch Premium Electric Vehicles in Japan in 2025
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Zeekr, a subsidiary of Geely, has announced plans to enter the Japanese market in 2025 with two premium EV models. According to Vice President Chen Yu, the company aims to establish showrooms in Tokyo and the Osaka region later this year to prepare for the official launch. This expansion follows Zeekr's recent entry into other right-hand-drive markets, including Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore, where it offers models like the Zeekr 009 van and the X crossover. The brand is aggressively pursuing global growth, targeting a presence in 50 countries and regions by the end of the year, up from its current 30, with further plans to enter South Korea in 2026. The move intensifies competition in Japan's EV sector, where rival BYD recently launched its Seal sedan at a significant markup compared to Chinese prices. BYD sold approximately 1,446 units of its Atto 3 and Dolphin models in Japan last year. Zeekr's strategy highlights the growing ambition of Chinese automakers to capture market share in developed Asian economies despite established local competitors and pricing challenges.
TechNode