Chinese carmaker Zeekr initially planned to enter the German market in the first half of 2024 with a direct-to-consumer (D2C) model. However, the launch has been postponed by more than a year.
The premium brand is now preparing for a market entry in Germany via a traditional retail model, partnering with local dealership networks — a person familiar with the matter told EV on Thursday.
According to recent job postings on LinkedIn, the Hangzhou-based firm is currently hiring Aftersales Lead and Commercial Operations Lead for the German market.
“Our German team is looking for an Aftersales Lead who will be part of building our Aftersales business in Zeekr Germany,” one of the job listings says. As of Thursday, the brand is also looking for a Commercial Operations Lead for the German market.
The same source told EV that Zeekr will collaborate with an established German aftersales service provider to ensure nationwide support and maintenance coverage.
Unlike its entries into the Netherlands and Sweden, Zeekr is not expected to open a flagship store in Germany as in Norway, primarily due to the high associated costs.
Separately, Zeekr has recently posted a job opening for an Aftersales Lead based in Paris as plans for the entrance into the French market are also now resumed.
The role is focused on developing the after-sales business in France and Belgium, including the setup of service processes, training programs, and partnerships with service networks.
Zeekr in EU
In the Netherlands, Zeekr operates a D2C model with a two-story showroom located in Amsterdam. Additionally, the Zeekr Tech Service & Delivery Center is situated in Zeist.
In Sweden, the company also employs a D2C model, with a flagship store in Stockholm. For aftersales services, Zeekr has partnered with Meko, a Nordic automotive service company.
In March 2024, Zeekr opened two pop-up stores in the country to increase brand awareness: one in Gothenburg and another one in Malmö.
Zeekr entered the Norwegian market in October 2024, shifting to a traditional retail model. The initial partnership was with Premium Cars in Oslo, followed by a collaboration with Frydenbø in Bergen.
While the company plans to utilize a local service network partner in Norway, no official partner has been announced yet.
As reported by EV last January, Zeekr’s former European chief Spiros Fotinos was forced to leave in the second quarter of 2024 amid weak sales, delays in market expansion, and a shift in the business model from direct-to-consumer (D2C) to a retail approach.
As reported by EV back then and meanwhile confirmed on his LinkedIn page, the brand’s chief commercial officer Lothar Schupet was appointed as the new EU head.
In a panel held earlier this week in Shanghai amid Zeekr’s brand night event, Schupet’s role appeared as “Acting CEO Zeekr Europe.” A separate source told EV that the executive is currently under pressure to increase sales and expand to new markets.
Between March 31 and April 20, the premium brand sold 7,700 units in China, according to the latest registration figures shared on Tuesday. Zeekr aims to increase its sales in 2025 by 44% to 320,000 vehicles.
Lineup Expansion in Europe
In December, Zeekr announced that its newly launched 7X SUV would begin European deliveries in the summer of 2025, starting in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway. Prices for the mid-size SUV will start at €52,990 ($54,900) in the Netherlands, 579,000 SEK in Sweden, and 539,900 NOK in Norway for the single-motor version.
Globally, Zeekr delivered 222,123 vehicles in 2024, falling short of its annual target by 8,000 units, which was set at the beginning of the year.
Hybrid Models
Zeekr debuted its first hybrid model the Zeekr 9X luxury SUV at the Shanghai Auto Show on Wednesday. The model will be globally launched in the third quarter of the year. Around then, Zeekr will also show its new V4 Ultra-Fast charging pile, capable of 1.3 MW peak charging speed.
“It features CATL’s Xiaoyao battery, delivering an all-electric range exceeding 380 km—the longest among hybrid SUVs globally,” Zeekr claimed in a statement.
At the CES Expo 2025, Zeekr CEO An Conghui said the company aims to boost European sales by introducing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to the brand’s lineup.
China-made PHEVs are not affected by the recently announced European Commission’s tariffs, allowing Zeekr to lower the price and increase the competitiveness of its models.
