Zeekr 9X begins mass shipment to UAE, marking first large-scale export of Chinese luxury EVs

On September 22, the new-generation Chinese luxury vehicle, the Zeekr 9X, equipped with the SEP浩瀚 Super Hybrid Electric Architecture, was officially shipped from the Fuzhou Port (Jiangyin Port Area) bound for the UAE, a global stronghold of luxury automobiles. This marks the first large-scale export of a Chinese luxury model, transforming the strategic vision of "high-quality globalization" into concrete action.

China's corporate globalization is undergoing a profound transformation: from the OEM and simple commodity exports of Era 1.0, to the brand and cost-effective product exports of Era 2.0, and now to Era 3.0, characterized by high-end manufacturing and full-industry-chain collaboration. The Zeekr 9X's overseas launch is a vivid illustration of this historical shift.

From "World Factory" to "Global Innovation Partner"

The automotive industry is the crown jewel of modern manufacturing and a key benchmark of a nation's comprehensive industrial strength. In recent years, China's automotive globalization has entered a new phase of "simultaneous volume and quality growth, with deep transformation."

Key data underscores this trend:

• From January to August this year, China exported a total of 7.153 million vehicles, a 66.7% year-on-year increase.
• Exports exceeded 1 million vehicles per month for three consecutive months (June, July, and August).
• New energy vehicle (NEV) exports reached 3.435 million units, a 1.2-fold year-on-year increase.
• In July, NEVs accounted for over half of monthly exports for the first time, a trend that continued in August.

Beyond the volume surge, there is a qualitative leap. Export models are shifting from low-end, economy vehicles to high-end, intelligent ones. Target markets have expanded from a few traditional regions to a global footprint. China's auto industry is evolving from a "world factory" to a "global innovation partner"—moving from large-scale product exports to high-level innovation output.

This shift is not an isolated case. HSBC China analysis suggests that Chinese companies have formally entered the "Globalization 3.0" era, centered on global industrial chain布局. Companies are increasingly focused on technology cooperation, industrial chain integration, and ecosystem co-creation. Goldman Sachs also noted in a recent report that the core feature of "Globalization 3.0" is Chinese companies strategically developing and exporting cutting-edge products tailored for international markets, with a globalization logic shifting from "domestic first, international later" to "designed for the global market from inception."

Zeekr 9X: The "Game Changer" in High-Quality Globalization

Against the backdrop of high overall export growth in the auto industry, the Zeekr 9X's overseas launch is a landmark event.

It represents the first time a Chinese high-end NEV has knocked on the door of the global luxury car market at scale. In the UAE, a bellwether market for luxury cars in the Middle East, the Zeekr 9X has already begun pre-sales:

• The Obsidian Black Edition is priced at 439,900 AED (over RMB 800,000).
• It competes directly with global luxury brands like Porsche, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley.
• Pre-sale orders have exceeded 700 units.

This data demonstrates that Chinese high-end NEVs have achieved equal value pricing power in a benchmark luxury market.

Notably, the Zeekr 9X generated significant buzz overseas even before its official launch. At the CES in the US this January, the 9X made its global debut, sparking strong demand from American consumers for its introduction to the US market. Although ordinary US consumers cannot yet purchase Chinese cars, US tech giant Google Waymo chose to absorb nearly 130% tariffs and purchased 3,200 Zeekr vehicles in bulk for its autonomous driving commercial operations.

Even more telling is the recognition from global industry partners. In July, the day after the five-seat version of the Zeekr 9X launched in China, the global luxury modification brand Mansory announced an initial purchase of 200 units. This marks:

• The first time in Mansory's 30+ year history that it has purchased a Chinese brand model in bulk.
• The first time Mansory has included a Chinese car in its "high-end customization list," alongside Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Bugatti.

During the Beijing Auto Show this year, a Mansory-modified Zeekr 9X was displayed with an overseas price tag of over $400,000 USD (approx. RMB 2.7 million). The display vehicle was immediately purchased by a Middle Eastern buyer, and global意向 orders have now exceeded 500 units.

The global founder of Mansory stated that the Zeekr 9X has reached an extremely high standard across four dimensions: original design, safety performance, handling, and luxury configuration. "When a car has such a foundation, it is no longer a regional product but a piece worthy of entering the global collection perspective."

The Zeekr 9X has also gone on sale in Germany, with a price tag of nearly RMB 1 million. From royalty and celebrities to political leaders and business elites, Zeekr is sparking a trend among high-end circles overseas. This global endorsement holds far greater value than mere sales figures, serving as solid proof of Zeekr's recognition as a luxury brand worldwide.

Core Competitiveness: Hardcore Product Strength

The ability of the Zeekr 9X and the entire Zeekr lineup to sell well and at high prices overseas is fundamentally supported by hardcore product strength:

• SEP浩瀚 Super Hybrid Electric Architecture: Combines the high performance of a pure electric architecture with the long-range advantages of fuel vehicles, delivering nearly undiminished high performance whether the battery is charged or depleted. International media have hailed it as a major technological breakthrough in the automotive industry.
• Full-Stack 900V High-Voltage Architecture: Enables faster charging, stronger performance, and lower energy consumption, creating a significant generational advantage over overseas luxury competitors that still predominantly use 400V platforms.
• Safety Black Technology: Includes integrated die-casting technology (awarded the China National Science and Technology Progress Award), high-strength hot-formed steel, and the浩瀚 AI Smart Chassis. These technologies fully meet the stringent global standards for vehicle safety and life protection.

The combination of these multiple cutting-edge technologies builds the solid foundation for Zeekr to compete in the global luxury market.

From "Government-Led" to "Market-Driven"

Understanding the deeper significance of the Zeekr 9X's export requires examining the macro-level shift in China's high-end manufacturing globalization model.

In the past, China's high-end manufacturing "going global" was primarily government-led, such as in communications equipment and high-speed rail. These often used a G2G (government-to-government) cooperation model, backed by national strength and based on infrastructure construction. In contrast, the 2026 export of Chinese luxury NEVs, represented by the Zeekr 9X, has achieved a groundbreaking breakthrough in the B2B and B2C sectors. It directly faces global consumers through market-oriented means, competing head-to-head with established international luxury brands, winning orders and reputation through product strength and brand power.

This is supported by the "training ground" effect of China's complete industrial system and massive domestic market. Analysts suggest that high-frequency feedback from a vast user base and diverse application scenarios allow Chinese technology to iterate and upgrade rapidly through large-scale application. "This virtuous cycle of technology and industry is the very source of confidence for Chinese automobiles going global."

Currently, Zeekr has entered over 60 countries and regions, including the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Australia, Germany, Italy, and France. It has established nearly 800 global stores. Zeekr is one of the few Chinese global luxury tech brands to achieve deliveries on five continents. Its global cumulative deliveries have exceeded 900,000 units, with an average unit price of nearly RMB 370,000. Its highest domestic price is nearly RMB 900,000, and its highest overseas price exceeds RMB 2 million. This布局 signifies that Chinese automakers have developed the full-chain overseas operational capability, from product export to service networks, brand building, and ecosystem construction.

From "Going Global" to "Moving Up the Value Chain"

The first large-scale shipment of the Zeekr 9X to the UAE marks the starting point of a new journey for China's "high-quality automotive globalization." According to the plan, starting from September this year, the 9X's global footprint will further expand to core markets in the Middle East, Latin America, Central Asia, and Europe, accelerating the formation of its global map.

From garment OEM to communications equipment, from consumer electronics to luxury NEVs, the core proposition of the "Globalization 3.0" era for Chinese brands is clear: China's high-end manufacturing is no longer satisfied with product export alone. Instead, it is stepping onto the world stage with a holistic posture encompassing brand, technology, standards, and ecosystem.

As industry experts note, the globalization of China's auto industry has entered a new phase of long-term operation, shifting from阶段性 growth to sustainable, high-quality development, and from "selling products" to "building brands, optimizing services, and creating ecosystems." The Zeekr 9X's export is a critical step in turning this transformation from concept into reality. Chinese automobiles are writing a new chapter in the global luxury car market, truly achieving high-quality globalization.

— Special Feature —

Reviewer: Zhou Yang | Editor: Xu Luming