Geely’s EV brand Zeekr aims to double sales in 2023, expand in Europe By Reuters

By Joseph White

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) – Chinese language electrical automobile model Zeekr goals to double gross sales in 2023 to about 140,000 autos and plans to broaden gross sales in Europe, Chief Government Andy An informed Reuters on Thursday.

Zeekr, a model created by Chinese language automaker Geely, bought 72,000 autos in 2022, largely in China. Its 001 mannequin, priced at about 300,000 yuan ($43,600), competes with Tesla (NASDAQ:) Inc’s Mannequin Y crossover and different luxurious fashions within the more and more aggressive Chinese language market. 

Tesla has reduce costs and trimmed manufacturing in China because it faces intensifying competitors from Chinese language manufacturers corresponding to Zeekr. Tesla gross sales in December fell to the bottom stage in 5 months.

A second Zeekr mannequin, the 009, will go into manufacturing this month.

Zeekr sees alternative for progress in Europe, An mentioned in an interview on the CES 2023 annual expertise convention in Las Vegas. Later this yr, Zeekr plans to start promoting autos there with assisted driving methods engineered with Mobileye, he added.

Zeekr and mother or father Geely have a European base with Volvo Automotive AB, which Geely owns a majority stake in.

Zeekr and Waymo, Alphabet (NASDAQ:) Inc’s robotaxi unit, confirmed a prototype of an autonomous experience service automobile at CES.

An mentioned Zeekr plans to construct autos for Waymo in China, however U.S. manufacturing is a chance, “relying available on the market scenario.”

Zeekr is just not planning to enter the U.S. client market, An mentioned.

Final month, Zeekr filed for a U.S. preliminary public providing, with out offering particulars on the dimensions or timing. Reuters beforehand reported Zeekr was aiming to boost greater than $1 billion within the IPO and in search of a valuation of greater than $10 billion.

($1 = 6.8800 renminbi)